Motherwell start off with hat-trick

MOTHERWELL Academy have got their Safa-NMB SAB League campaign off to a flying start with three wins out of three.

They beat Royal Bucks 2-0 in their opening league match, and in a high-scoring match on Friday evening beat Pefa neighbours Central Acemates 8-4.

Despite being without their regular starters Abongile Twani and Billiat Vuyolwethu Dinge, who were injured, Motherwell beat PE Sundowns 2-1.

They took the game to Sundowns from the kickoff and were well rewarded when Xolisa Njamela rounded off an excellent cross from Bulelani Nongongoma.

Sundowns fought back and scored five minutes from the break following a dubious penalty when defender Sipho Vutuza was penalised for obstruction while shielding the ball.

After the break, Motherwell failed to take advantage of several chances until Zanomzi Sefali scored with a cracker to make the final score 2-1.

Meanwhile, the new-look Fairview Rovers team finally got their chance to kick-start their campaign after two of their previous matches were called off when match officials failed to turn up.

In a match of two halves, they beat NMMU Madibaz 2-1.

Rovers dominated the opening stanza and went ahead within 10 minutes when Keeran Samery got onto a flick into the Madibaz area by Adam Finn.

Almost on half time, Jose Shaw made it 2-0 with a header over the advancing Madibaz keeper.

In the second half, Madibaz dominated but failed to score until the final minutes of the match to reduce the deficit.

Rovers had a let-off in the dying minutes of the match when a full-blooded drive by Keiron Koert stuck the upright.

“It was good to finally get a game under the belt,” Rovers coach Brendon Prince said.

“Madibaz have an excellent team and made us fight all the way and could have snatched a share of the points.”

It was a baptism of fire for Hearts who were thumped 5-0 by Highland Spurs in their debut match in the league.

Another match was called off after match officials failed to turn up. This time it was the turn of Royal Bucks and Central Acemates.

Results:

Ikamva Movers 1 Mabayibone Strikers 2, Island City 1 Despatch Pioneers 1, Hearts 0 Highland Spurs 5, NMMU Madibaz 1 Fairview Rovers 2, Young Cosmos 0 Camper United 2, PE Sundowns 1 Motherwell Academy 2, Showvillage United Brothers 0 Golden Aces 0, Royal Bucks v Central Acemates DNP.