Samuel Julies came off the bench to score his first Absa Premiership goals since 2012 and help Chippa United to a 2-0 win over Bidvest Wits in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Having netted against Mamelodi Sundowns in a Telkom Knockout win this past weekend, Julies continued his form in spectacular style to hand the Clever Boys their fifth loss of the season and secure the Chilli Boys a first three-pointer on the road.

Chippa nearly claimed the lead as early as the fourth minute, as a scramble in the penalty area after a mistake from Darren Keet ended with James Okwuosa stabbing a shot which hit the underside of the crossbar.

That proved to be the only attacking highlight of an otherwise cagey first half. Wits dominated possession and created a few promising moments thanks to the class of their wide-men Elias Pelembe and Daine Klate, but they couldn’t quite service strikers Vincent Pule and Amr Gamal.

Chippa, meanwhile, looked sporadically dangerous on the counter attack, but they were unwilling to commit too many men forward for fear of being caught short at the back by the reigning league champions.

The second half saw the Clever Boys continue to be the more positive and enterprising team, and coach Gavin Hunt looked to add a little creativity to the mix when he introduced veteran playmaker Steven Pienaar just after the hour mark.

On 75 minutes Chippa’s Daniel Akpeyi needed Okwuosa to bail him out by clearing the ball off the line after the goalkeeper dropped a simple cross, while seconds later substitute Samuel Julies shot wide after being beautifully set up by a through ball from Paseka Mako.

Yet just two minutes later Julies made up for his error by striking home a low shot after more good work from Mako, putting the Chilli Boys into a lead which was very much against the general run of play.

And things got even better for Julies in the 85th minute when he scored a ‘goal of the season’ contender, whipping a left-footed curler into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0 and wrap up the three points for the Eastern Cape side.

Chippa United (0) 2 (Julies 77’ 85’)

Teams:

Bidvest Wits: Keet, Allie, Khumalo, Hlatshwayo, Hlanti, Pelembe (Keene 82’), Scott, Mlambo (Pienaar 63’), Klate, Pule (Phiri 75’), Gamal

Chippa United: Akpeyi, Macheke, Okwuosa, Bergman, Maphanga, Mvelase (Mbenyane 58’), Mabaso, Lentjies (Julies 64’), Mdlinzo, Mako, Sekola (Mbokoma 82’)