Maritzburg United secured a 3-1 victory against third-tier outfit Swallows FC in their Nedbank Cup last 32 round clash at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The home side got off to a bright start and looked the livelier of the two teams when in possession off the ball, however it was Fadlu David’s side that broke the deadlock in the second minute when Mxolisi Kunene’s ball into the area was swept home by Andrea Fillecia.
The goal didn’t seem to perturb Swallows’ efforts at grabbing an equaliser and they came agonisingly close to almost scoring in the 22nd minute, but the goalkeeper came to the rescue.
Tshepo Mashego was rewarded for his continuous attacking efforts as he grabbed the equaliser in the 34th minute with a cool and composed finish.
The two sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 1-1.
The second-half started in similar fashion to the first, with Swallows doing all the attacking. The home side were dealt a cruel injury blow when talisman Mashego was forced off with an injury, minutes after hitting the pole to almost give his side the lead.
By the 60th minute, the intensity of the game had died down, largely due to both sides not wanting too give away too much in the remaining minutes.
Maritzburg made the first tactical change as William Twala was withdrawn for Ziyaad Eksteen.
Neither side were able to find the winner after ninety minutes as the two teams were forced into extra-time.
Fillecia looked to have sealed the game moments before the end of the first-half of extra-time when profited from some sloppy defending by Swallows to grab his brace.
Content with his side’s lead, Davids withdrew goalscorer Fillecia for Mohau Mokate.
Swallows gave it their all in the final period of extra-time, but it wasn’t too be – as Maritzburg added another courtesy of Kunene to wrap up proceedings after a gruelling two hours of football.
Here is how the lined-up:
Swallows XI: 16. Ntikinga, 23. Matlola, 7. Moeketsi, 18. Mlambo, 5. Mokoena, 6. Vilakazi, 17. Letooane, 21. Mngomezulu, 22. Mashigo, 12. Mnguni, 15. Banyane.
Maritzburg XI: 1. Mpandle, 25. Xulu, 23. De Reuck, 3. Sanoka, 13. Makaringe, 15. Maboe, 36. Kunene, 14. Matima, 10. Atouba, 7. Twala, 9. Fillecia.
In the other Nedbank Cup clashes:
Phiva Young Stars 0-2 Chippa United
Steenberg United 3-1 Orbit College
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix
-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za
