Lamontville Golden Arrows came back from the dead to force a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in a Castle Premiership match at the Johannesburg Stadium on Wednesday night.
The high-flying Pirates, who were still basking in glory after defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 over the weekend, scored first on the stroke of half-time when Benedict Vialakazi converted a penalty in the 43rd minute.
This was after Pirates’ Bheka Pakathi was brought down by Siyabonga Khanyile inside the penalty area and referee Ace Ngcobo awarded the spot kick.
However, the Durbanites never gave up the fight. Arrows, who were expected to be a walkover, gave a good account of themselves. Their fighting spirit paid dividends in the 84th minute when Bucs defender Jimmy Tau hacked Khanyile down inside the penalty box, right in front of Ngcobo, who had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Arrows’ Papi Zothwane sent Pirates ‘keeper Thabang Radebe the wrong direction and the ball rattled the net.
Pirates have only themselves to blame for the draw as they dominated the proceedings from the start until the end of the first period, with defenders Papi Khomane and Felix Musasa-Muwamba killing all the threatening fires at the back.
Enjoying home-ground advantage, the Buccaneers stepped up a gear after the equaliser and created several scoring chances, but their forwards failed to convert.
Bucs’ James Mothibi was the main culprit when he missed a handful of chances, but all credit should go to the Arrows’ rear guard.
They defended as if their lives depended on the match, but their midfielders easily gave way to the Buccaneers.
However, both clubs gave their all after Zothwane’s equaliser but neither side could find the back of the net. — Sapa