Bucs rise to snuff out Stars
Pirates show no sign of TKO disappointment as they put three past Ea Lla Koto
FREE STATE STARS (0) 1 ORLANDO PIRATES (2) 3
Lorch 15, Shonga 28, Mntambo 90
THE Buccaneers lived up to the adage ‘dangerous when wounded’ as they defeated Ea Lla Koto at Goble Park last night.
Micho Sredejovic’s team showed no signs of being hungover from their Telkom Knockout final defeat to Baroka FC as they cemented their position atop the Absa Premiership table with a victory that was essentially sealed before the half hour mark.
Thembinkosi Lorch redeemed himself with a goal from an inventive free kick after his failure to convert from the penalty spot during shootouts in the final.
A set-piece on the right side of the box saw the home side expecting Justin Shonga to try for a strike given the close proximity to goals. But, in what was clearly a training ground routine, the Zambian pulled the ball towards the penalty spot for Lorch to shoot through a cluster of players.
If the opening goal gave a glimpse of what happens at Pirates training, the second was an indication of their teamwork and passing abilities.
Marcelo da Silva stole possession from Stars just inside the opposition half and swiftly dispatched a pass to Mulenga. The Zambian threaded the ball to his countryman Shonga, who feigned to pass and sent a Stars defence sliding and tackling the grass, before slotting home.
It could have been 3-0 before the break had Lorch’s confident shot from range, after he spotted Ali Sangara off his line, not been a little too high.
Not that Stars were just letting Pirates roll all over them, for the home side had a couple of good headers by Sifiso Mbhele and Harris Tchilimbou go just wide of goals.
Expectedly, the home team got back from the break and took the game to Pirates.
Tchilimbou was again a big threat and headed inches wide on 51 minutes just after referee Daniel Bennett had waved away Stars’ appeals for a penalty following a handball in the box
There was no denying Ea Lla Koto on 52 minutes though as their intensive attack bore fruit. A good cross from the right by Jantie eluded Da Silva but wrong-footed Happy Jele who pushed the ball into his net with his knee.
Sensing their opponents were wobbly, Stars went on the rampage and Tchilimbu forced a good save out of Siyabonga Mpontshane before Jantjie’s attempt ricocheted off the post with the Pirates goalkeeper thoroughly beaten.
Mpontjane then denied Jantjie with another brilliant save on 74 minutes as Pirates held on for dear life to register their first win at Goble Park in four seasons. They also had the last word, Linda Mntambo slotted home the third goal in time added on for stoppages.
The other matches last night all ended in draws, Baroka held Mamelodi Sundowns goalless, Cape Town City 1, Chippa United 1 and Polokwane City 2, Highlands Park 2.