Goals from Danny Venter and Lerato Lamola helped secure 3 points against Highlands Park at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium this afternoon.
We came onto the field showing our determination this afternoon. From the kick off the side looked hungry and determined to secure the win, and this translated into the play on the field. We attacked early with Lunga making some good runs up the side and playing in behind the defence.
This created a number of chances for us. Jooste, Sabelo and Mutizwa put a great deal of pressure on the defence, but just failed to get decent clean touches when it mattered.
Our breakthrough came in the 24th minute when a similar play tactic was used. Highlands Park defended well and the ball was played out of the final third. Venter played onto the ball well, struck it and it deflected off a Highlands player an kept its course. Kapini had little chance of the save and we had an important lead going into the break.
The second half was a defensive one for us. Highlands Park came on the attack and had us on the back foot often. We did well defensively, with the team communicating an closing gaps when needed. They also looked more composed on the defensive set pieces and managed the pressure of the attacking opposition well.
A number of changes in the side saw Lamola come onto the field. He scored on his first touch of the game after turn over ball at the back. Mutizwa got fed the ball, he played it up field and held onto it just long enough for Lamola to be in the right position. Lamola tracked the ball well and although Kapini got some of his body on it, the loose ball had enough momentum to roll into the goals.
We had a lapse of concentration just 5 minutes later, and where we had been so strong earlier conceded a goal. A free kick on the far side of the field was played to the near post, Rae was not marked that well and managed to get into the air and header one past Gumede.
Highlands unleashed a late onslaught, looking to find at least a point with an equaliser but we held off for the victory.
We will now plan for our next game which will also be at home, against SuperSport United next Sunday.
