Gallants defeat 10-man Galaxy
Marumo Gallants beat 10-man TS Galaxy 3-1 in a 2021/22 DStv Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Victory, a first at home this season, moved Bahlabane ba Ntwa up to 12th place on the league standings. Galaxy dropped down to 14th and remain a point above the relegation zone.
Galaxy started the game well but suffered a huge blow in the 20th minute when Igor Makitan received his marching orders for a cynical foul on Lerato Lamola.
A poorly weighted back-pass was intercepted by the speedy Gallants forward who was then brought down by Makitan, who left the referee with little choice but to brandish the red card as not for the first time this season, the Rockets were reduced to 10-men early in a game.
Gallants made good use of their man advantage as Lehlohonolo Nonyane nodded home a Joseph Molangoane free-kick in the 33rd minute to give the hosts the lead.
Sibusiso Kumalo doubled their advantage six minutes later. Quick interplay opened space for Lebogang Mabotja down the left flank and his low cross was passed into the net by Kumalo who had found a pocket of space in the penalty area.
The hosts netted a third through Letsie Koapeng in the 84th minute to put the game beyond any reasonable doubt.
Galaxy pulled a goal back with the last kick of the game as Wayde Lekay made it two goals in as many matches. The Rockets striker outmuscled two defenders before firing an unstoppable left-footed shot into the corner of the net, but it proved a mere consolation on the night.
Marumo Gallants (2) 3 (Nonyane 33' Kumalo 39' Koapeng 84')
TS Galaxy (0) 1 (Lekay 90+3')
TEAMS:
Marumo Gallants: Arubi; Mabotja, Nonyane, Nhlapo, Kgoetyane, Manaka, Kumalo, Molangoane, Ngema (Ndlondlo 71'), Otladisa (Mphambaniso 71'), Lamola (Koapeng 42').
TS Galaxy:Kolak; Seedat, Makitan, Aubaas, Bodibe, Mbunjana, Nduli, Mbatha (Brooks 46'), Mahlangu (Lekay 46'), Mngomezulu (Nyama 64'), Macuphu (Mahlangu 46').