United snatch a late draw
EXCITING: PIRATES ALLOW SUPERSPORT TO CLAW BACK
Bucs dealt a major blow when Thembinkosi Lorch had to leave the field with an unspecified injury.
Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United produced an enetertaining Dstv Premiership clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium last night, but couldn’t be separated on the scoreboard as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The match produced a good deal of goal-scoring chances at both ends but it was probably Pirates who had the better of the chances, particularly in the second half. The result saw Bucs conceding a goal for the first time in four games in all competitions.
Bucs made a good start, as the visitors were able to be find the back of the net within the first 10 minutes through Vincent Pule. Matsatsantsa fought hard in their hunt for an equaliser, but their efforts came to nought as Pirates managed to deny current Dstv Premiership leading goalscorer Bradley Grobler a sniff at goals.
But Bucs were dealt a major blow when key player Thembinkosi Lorch had to leave the field early after sustaining an as yet unspecified injury.
However, Lorch’s loss didn’t really destabilise the side.
The Buccaneers went in search of their second goal, but the home side also managed to create chances of their own.
The game went on to present a number of goal-scoring opportunities, but none of the sides were able to find the back of the net as the match headed into the break.
In the second half, SuperSport had a set-piece just outside the box. but midfielder Teboho Mokoena was unfortunate to be off target with Richard Ofori’s goal at his mercy just one minute after the half-hour mark.
In the 67th minute, SuperSport found the breakthrough eventually when Gamphani Lungu’s powerful shot was cruely deflected into his own net by Ben Motshwari.
Pirates almost snatched a late goal through Deon Hotto, but United’s youngster Luke Fleuers managed to clear the ball off the goal-line with keeper Ronwen Williams looking well beaten.
The result sees Pirates still anchored in fourth place on the log with 29 points from 18 games, one point shy of third-placed Moroka Swallows.
Matsatsantsa remain second, three points behind leaders Sundowns, but from two more games.