AN early first half strike by captain Clive Manaka and a kick from a penalty mark by goalkeeper Nelson Ndobe were enough to seal three points for Beneth United FC who defeated Masakaneng FC in a Polokwane Local Football Association league match played at the Masedibu High School sport ground on Sunday.
Masakaneng FC looked lively in the first half, forcing saves from Ndobe, but it was their sloppy defence that allowed Manaka to pounce on a loose ball to score the opener against the run of play.
The Seshego Zone 1 club found themselves two goals down seconds before the end of the first half when their captain used his hands to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. That was his last action of the match before he was given his marching orders.
Although playing with 10 men for the duration of the second half, Masakaneng put up an amazing fight, with Makgeru Legodi causing all sorts of problems for Beneth defenders.
But it was the home side that held on and emerged victorious.
The win for the seventh placed Beneth will see them move only one step ahead and will need a couple of wins in their remaining matches if they fancy the chances of realising their dreams of finishing the league in the top four bracket.
Solomon Dokotla, who assumed the role of caretaker coach at Beneth said they should have won the match with an avalanche of goals but it was not to be.
“Credit must go to Masakaneng players for giving us a run for our money. They came into the second half with a good game plan and did not allow us time on the ball. They pressed us and we could not attack. We missed some clear-cut chances,” said Dikotla.
