Highlands Park held by Celtic
HIGHLANDS Park were held to a 1-1 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic in a rescheduled Absa Premiership match at Makhulong Stadium last night.
Goals from Mothobi Mvala and Mpho Maruping saw the points shared. It’s a third draw in the space of four matches for both the Lions of the North and Phunya Sele Sele – the former have not won in the league since their first match back in September, while the latter are now unbeaten in their last four. The result sees the Lions of the North move off the foot of the table and push Free State Stars into last place, while Phunya Sele Sele move up one position to 12th.
Highlands claimed the lead just before the midway point of the first half, with Franklin Cale’s free kick turned home by Mothobi Mvala.
The hosts’ goal came amid some pressure from Celtic, with the likes of Atusaye Nyondo and new signing Ayanda Dlamini threatening to find the back of the net for the visitors.
As the half drew to an end, Phunya Sele Sele almost claimed an equaliser through Dlamini but the former AmaZulu man saw his free kick attempt well saved by Tapuwa Kapini.
Seven minutes into the second half Highlands almost doubled their advantage, with Lindokuhle Mbatha forcing Patrick Tignyemb into a fingersave. On 68 minutes Celtic brought themselves level at 1-1, with midfielder Mpho Maruping scoring with a header from Deon Hotto’s corner kick delivery.
Though that finished off the scoring for the match, both teams created further notable chances to alter the score line. — BackpageTXT