/ 2 May 1999

United, Spurs take maximum points

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Saturday 8.00pm.

SUPERSPORT United displayed character when they beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in a Castle Premier League soccer fixture at the Caledonian Stadium on Friday night, despite finishing a man down.

The Bob Save Super Bowl finalists were reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute when national defender Clyde Mahlangu was sent off by referee Herman Nkuna for a second bookable offence in a move which had the hosts crying foul.

With United leading 1-0 from a 11th minute headed goal by defender Gareth Orritt from a corner by midfielder Michael Araujo, Orritt was penalised for fouling Celtic striker Lebohang Kukame woh apparently took an obvious dive. The contested penalty levelled matters.

United went ahead for good in the 67th minute when Araujo slammed one past Celtic keeper Nkosana Maseko from 15 meters out.

Celtic desperately tried to equalise again in the closing minutes, but failed to capitalise on a double substitution and SuperSport came away with the win.

Cape Town Spurs got lucky in their Premier League match against Wits University at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night when they scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute.

Alton Meiring took matters into his own hands, giving two Wits defenders the slip and edging the ball past the keeper for the 1-0 clincher.

Wits dominated the game, tackling with panache and speed, but failed to capitalise on several chances, including a heartbreaker in the 91st minute when Gareth Devine pushed a header past the upright of an empty goal.

In a fast moving game, Santos and Cosmos played to a goalless draw in the second game of a PSL double header at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night. The outstanding player on the night was Cosmos midfielder Godrey Sapula.

Cosmos suffered a blow in the 87th minute when Clint Sophadi was red carded for bring down Santos forward Taylani Mahlanga.

Santos dominated the first half, although both sides showed good ball movement. Conversions, however, were noted by their absence all night.