Golden Arrows edged Royal AM 3-2 in highly entertaining edition of a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday.
Abafana Besthende rallied from a goal down, and broke a seven game winless run against Thwihli Thwahla, to return to winning ways against a 10-men AM outfit. The drama around the match began early off the field due to a delay in the the kick-off, induced by heavy traffic on the N3.
Following four dreadful hours in their team bus, Arrows finally arrived in Pietermaritzburg and seemed ready to not only stretch their legs but also impose themselves on the hosts.
Arrows head coach Mabhuti Khenyeza fielded an attacking line-up under wet conditions. However, it was Royal AM who got the early breakthrough, capitalising off a lapse in concentration from the visitors just five minutes into the game.
Midfielder Sbusiso Magaqa reacted the quickest in the far post to toe poke home from close range after a cross into the box was poorly dealt with by the Arrows defence. The visitors rallied back, however, and their pressure told in the second half as they were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute, which Ryan Moon converted emphatically.
With a man down after Motebang Sera’s red card when conceding the penalty, Arrows took the lead a minute later as Moon headed home to complete his brace. There was still time for late drama as 10-men Royal AM received and converted their own penalty in the 84th minute.
However, that wouldn't end the contest, as Arrows restored their lead two minutes later via a Xolani Ngcobo own goal, with ex-Royal AM man Menzi Masuku heavily involved.
In another encounter on the night, TS Galaxy moved off the bottom of the table after securing a 3-1 win over Sekhukhume United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. The Rockets claimed all three points for the first time this season and began life after Sead Ramovic in emphatic fashion by leaping out of the relegation zone and up into 12th place.
At the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Chippa United and SuperSport United could not be separated as they played out to a goalless draw. The two teams showed great endeavour but could not come with a decisive blow and therefore settled for a share of the spoils.