CT City fight back to beat Wits

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Cape Town City came from two-goals down to secure a 3-2 victory over Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Gavin Hunt’s side relinquished top spot in the league after playing out to two straight draws, but their most recent one came against a 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns side at the Bidvest Stadium on 23 February.

Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in their recent midweek encounter.

In the last fixture between the two team, Wits came out victorious after claiming a 2-0 victory over City at Cape Town Stadium on 2 October 2018.

The Citizens came out with more intent early on and came close to breaking the deadlock, but Kermit Erasmus blazed his effort wide of the target.

Riyaad Norodien should have given his side the opener in the 14th minute when he drove his effort across the goal, but the winger failed to curl his effort in.

City grew into the game and saw more possession on the ball, while Wits were happy to soak up the pressure in their defensive half.

However, Wits’s managed to grab the lead in the 29th minute when Thulani Hlatshwayo was left unmarked in the box to header his effort into the net, 1-0.

Hlatshwayo nearly netted his second of the game after 39 minutes, but the Wits captain directed his header over the crossbar.

With two minutes left to play in the first half, the home side doubled their lead when Gift Motupa showed his composure to drill the ball past Peter Leeuwenburgh between the sticks for City.

The Students managed to hold on to their two-goal lead over City as the game went into the half time break.

The visitors pulled a goal back early in the second half after a great one-two between Erasmus and Chris Davids before the City striker slotted the ball home.

Surprise Ralani then drew his side level in the 54th minute when he made his way into the box before unleashing his shot at goal. The winger hit the upright with strike before the ball bounced into the ball.

Hunt’s side nearly took the lead four minutes later after Deon Hotto latching on to a
Elias Pelembe knock-down before firing his effort at goal, but the attacker’s blazed his shot over the crossbar.

Granwald Scott should have put his side ahead in the 61st minute, but his glancing header flew narrowly wide of goal.

The visitors responded well to Wits’ onslaught and took the lead for the first time in the game when Norodien curled his free kick into the back of the net.

Wits had a chance to level matter two minutes later when Scott unleashed a strike, but the City shot-stopper managed to push his strike out for a corner.

The home side pushed forward in search of an equalising goal in the close stages of the game, but CT City held on to their lead until the final whistle to claim maximum points away from home.

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Dylan