Stellenbosch made to wait for that first PSL win

STELLENBOSCH FC and Maritzburg United are still without a win in the PSL after playing to a goalless draw at Athlone Stadium yesterday.

Both teams have played three games, and lost one and drawn two.

The first half saw moves started from the back, but Stellenbosch and Maritzburg were unable to string together a series of passes.

Stellenbosch did create a couple of chances and came close to scoring through captain and midfielder Jarrod Moroole midway through the first half. He was on the end of a free kick taken by left wing-back Marc van Heerden from just outside the left side of the 18-yard box and used his knee to loop the ball towards goal, only to be denied by Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori who pulled off a great save.

His opposite number Boy de Jong didn’t have much to do until he nearly paid the price for coming off his line to clear the ball into touch. Maritzburg took a quick throw-in and midfielder Deolin Mekoa fired in a shot that went over the right-hand side of the crossbar. The home side pushed hard for the opener and in the 38th minute went close again, this time from a corner kick centre-back Sibusiso Mthethwa headed on target, but once again Ofori came to his team’s rescue.

The visitors from KwaZulu-Natal were able to soak up the pressure on a miserable winter’s day and launched the odd sortie, with Daniel Morgan leading the charge. The livewire leftwing took a shot on the run, but hit it well wide of goal.

The second half saw Maritzburg start well and chances went the way of midfielder Daylon Claasen and striker Thabiso Kutumela. Classen was first denied by the woodwork and then De Jong pulled off a great save coming off his line to keep out Kutumela.

Stellies made two changes during the onslaught with striker Ryan Moon and midfielder Diego Franco (the first Mexican to play in the PSL) making way for Nkanyiso Zungu and Lelethu Skelem. But still the lack of penetration in the final third from the league rookies who were feeling the heat placed on them by a determined foe.

The Team of Choice nearly snatched all three points in the closing minutes, but De Jong kept them at bay.