Maritzburg deny Wits
10-man United hold Students to 1-1 draw
IT WAS a case of two points dropped for Wits and one won for Maritzburg United after the sides drew 1-1 in their final Absa Premiership match of the year at Harry Gwala Stadium last night.
Wits made heavy weather of beating a Maritzburg outfit who battled gamely for over 45 minutes with 10 players after the sending off of their captain Kurt Lentjies late in the first half.
When they did eventually go up through ex-Maritzburg forward Cuthbert Malajila in the 70th minute, Wits contrived to concede the equaliser three minutes later.
It was a dogged team effort as Maritzburg wore their socks thin chasing an equaliser through counter-attacks. Striker Evans Rusike won a corner, which was dipped in by Deolin Mekoa.
It was headed goalwards by Kenyan defender Brian Onyango, and cleared off the line by a Wits player, only for striker Mohau Mokate to stab the loose ball in.
The never-say-die attitude of the Midlands men earned them seventh spot, one place up the standings after they overtook Orlando Pirates who lost 2-1 against Bloemfontein Celtic in another match last night.
Wits also made progress, climbing to the summit on goal difference, ahead of Cape Town City, but from one match less.
However, it was a bitter result for coach Gavin Hunt to stomach. He rued their failure to press home the man advantage, and expected the second half of the season to be tougher.
“We controlled the game and should have won; it’s disappointing to lead 1-0 and then throw it away.
“It’s been happening the last few games. With a proper three to four weeks we’ll get better,” said Hunt, who looked forward to the mid-season break to recharge and strengthen the squad with a few new players and the return of English striker James Keene from injury.
“We finished the last five games badly and just didn’t kill off the game. The title race is going to be a bun fight until the end now.
“It’s not going to be easy. Over the last five games we should have been four or five points further ahead,” lamented Hunt.
While the Wits coach also bemoaned his team’s mentality and the poor attitude of some players, his counterpart Fadlu Davids gave credit to his personnel for never giving up and sticking to the battle plan.
“When you’re a man down you ask for fighting spirit and character, and the players were absolutely fantastic.
“They ground out the result and all credit to them. Over the last few games it’s been about giving 100%, focusing on the task and sticking to the tactics,” said Davids.
The caretaker coach extended his unbeaten run with Maritzburg to five matches since he took charge after Ernst Middendorp’s resignation.