Bartlett’s boys do club proud

CHAMPIONS: ARROWS SHOOT BACK TO PREMIERSHIP

Draw enough to take the team back into the top flight.

Shaun Bartlett sang the praises of his Golden Arrows players after the KwaZulu-Natal side yesterday bounced straight back into the Absa Premiership.

Arrows were relegated last season but Bartlett, in his first full campaign as head coach, has guided them to the National First Division title.

Bartlett’s side needed a point going into yesterday’s game against Cape Town All Stars to be sure of the title and promotion. And Prince Khumalo’s 84th minute goal did get them a 1-1 draw, though as it happened they would have gone up anyway, with Jomo Cosmos beaten 2-1 at home by Thanda Royal Zulu.

“It has been a difficult season for us, we are a young team, but an ambitious team.” Bartlett told television cameras after the game.

“It (automatic promotion) is massive, that was our goal from the beginning. Every time there was a hiccup we had the self-belief to come back. The players, time and time again, have surprised me, they have showed resilience, fighting for each other. We have to be proud of the boys, hold our hands up and say well done.

“Sometimes when a plan comes together you have got to thank a lot of people and I have got to thank my wife and family, their support has been massive for me. There have been a lot of tough times, but they have always been there.”

Arrows were not at their absolute best yesterday and fell behind to Amigo Memela’s 10th-minute strike. Bartlett’s side eventually found a way back into the game after some lax Stars defending allowed Nxumalo in to equalise.

Cosmos had to win their last two games and hope for an Arrows collapse to have any chance of automatic promotion. But they lost at home to Thanda, goals for Michael Gumede and Phumelele Bengu enough to lift the KZN side into fourth in the table.

Thanda are a point behind Black Leopards, Zeca Marques’ side moving into a promotion/ relegation play-off spot with a 2- 0 win at FC Cape Town yesterday.