A spirited performance by Maritzburg United in wet and difficult conditions saw the home team run out 3-1 winners over Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership match at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
United dealt with the slippery conditions better than Celtic in a relegation scrap that saw a red card handed out to either side by referee Robert Sithole.
Maritzburg’s victory helped them climb from second-last to third last, over Bay United. Celtic, who were brought down to earth from their 6-1 thrashing of Thanda Royal Zulu in Bloemfontein on Sunday, remain in last place.
United took the lead in just the second minute when Siphiwe Mkhonza’s long throw was allowed to go to ground by the Celtic defence and squirted into goal via a faint touch by Fadlu Davids.
In the eighth minute Celtic defender Mbhuyiseli Sambu’s header was cleared off the line by Sipho Mngomezulu from Moses Spandeel’s corner, then a shot from Gert Schalkwyk from the edge of the area flashed over the bar.
Another Mkhonza long throw led to United’s second goal, Gary Goldstone’s powerful goal-bound header being kept out by the hand of Solomon Mathe, who was red-carded. Davids buried the consequent penalty in the 22nd minute.
In the 31st minute Fanyana Dhladhla’s ground shot from the right was driven into the arms of Celtic goalkeeper Shu-aib Walters.
Six minutes later, after a mazy run by Dhladhla down the right, the ball was worked via Brice Aka to Davids in the area, who shot wide with Walters bearing down on the striker.
A minute before halftime Sithole’s weak refereeing saw the numbers equalled. Davids went into a challenge on the slippery surface that caught Walters, lying on the ground, and Sithole produced a yellow card for the offence. When the United striker questioned the decision he was shown a second yellow and red-carded.
In the second half United keeper Tashreeq Goldman came into his own to preserve his side’s lead.
United made it 3-0 in the 69th minute when Mngomezulu put Tony Tsabedze through to coolly finish past Walters.
Five minutes later Goldman was beaten by a header by Mahlatsi from John Maduka’s free-kick as Celtic pulled one back. — Sapa