Chiefs battle their way past Highlands Park

Chiefs scored first through Bernard Parker in the 39th minute, but it was 1-1 at the interval after the goal had been cancelled out moments later by Bevan Fransman. Leonardo Castro and Dumisani Zuma then put the hosts 3-1 up before Lesenya Ramoraka pulled one back for Owen Da Gama’s team with 13 minutes to play.

On the balance of play it was just about a deserved three points for Ernst Middendorp’s team, although Chiefs were not overly convincing and still have work to do under the German’s tutelage.

The Lions of the North had enjoyed some good early chances as Ryan Rae’s seventh minute header was blocked on the line by Kgotso Moleko, before Lindokuhle Mbatha steered a shot wide in the 14th minute with the goal at his mercy.

Not that Amakhosi were being outplayed – and they were close to scoring when Philani Zulu’s cross located Ramahlwe Mphalele, but with the ball arriving behind him, he was not able to get his header on target.

The Soweto side broke the deadlock in the 39th minute after Hendrick Ekstein played in Castro, who was able to bundle the ball to Parker, who in turn fired a crisp low shot into the bottom corner.

However, the lead was to last for just a minute as Highlands Park hit back through a Fransman header, the former Chiefs defender planting the ball into the top corner after Teenage Hadebe’s weak attempted clearance from a long throw-in by Rae.

The Amakhosi faithful did however not have to wait long for their side to go in front again as Castro turned in a low cross from Zulu from six yards out in the 49th minute.

Chiefs remained in control and they extended their lead in the 70th minute when George Maluleka’s pass deflected off the head of Sphiwe Mahlangu and into the path of Zuma, who raced goalwards and finished clinically with a low shot from the edge of the area.

However, the visiting side still had fight in them, and when Daniel Cardoso failed to clear his box in the 77th minute, Ramoraka drilled a low angled shot past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and into the net.

There were some anxious late moments for the Glamour Boys before they managed to hold off the Highlands Park onslaught to close out the victory.

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