SuperSport score come-from-behind win over Polokwane
Stuart Baxter’s SuperSport United scored a well-taken 2-1 come-from-behind win over Polokwane City in their Absa Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, on Wednesday evening.
The teams were level-pegging at 1-all at the halftime break.
Polokwane made their attacking intentions clear from the outset when they took play into the SuperSport penalty area in the second minute but failed to leave their mark.
They did, however, make it count four minutes later when the SuperSport defence surrendered possession in their penalty area and Rodney Ramagalela latched onto the stray ball and unleashed a curling shot from an acute angle past goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse for the opening goal of the match (1-0).
SuperSport threatened briefly a few minutes later after a penetrative raid down the right flank but Aubrey Modiba struck his parting shot into the side-netting.
Both sides played at pace and as a result, play flowed from one to the other ever so often. Midway through the first half, each side enjoyed close-in free-kicks but neither were able to convert.
SuperSport came good with a freakish goal by Cole Alexander in the 37th minute. After he was given a free run down the right channel he sent in a goalmouth cross from close to the corner flag. The ball floated high over goalkeeper George Chigova and dipped into the goals for the equaliser (1-1).
Two minutes later, Rise and Shine came close to regaining the lead. A Jabulani Maluleke goalmouth cross was headed against the crossbar by Sammy Seabi and it was a lucky let off for Matsatsantsa who were guilty of ball watching.
In the final minute of first-half play, the unmarked Thabo Mnyamane had a gilt-edged chance to snatch the lead for Matsatsantsa but ballooned his parting shot over the bar as the teams settled for a 1-all halftime scoreline.
SuperSport stepped up their work rate in the opening stages of the second half and managed to gain the initiative. However, they lost possession just when they managed to work their way into threatening positions.
In the 68th minute, Matsatsantsa gained the lead for the first time in the match when Jeremy Brockie scored from the penalty spot (2-1). Polokwane defender Thabang Klaas was adjudged to have fouled Reneilwe Letsholonyane just inside the penalty area.
Polokwane had moments later in the game in the match to save the match but SuperSport saw to it that their slender lead remained intact by the time the match came to an end.