NRB must win on the road

UNBEATEN at home but without a single point on the road, Richards Bay FC have every chance of correcting this anomaly when they travel to lowly placed Real Kings on Saturday.

It is of little consolation that the away defeats have been by narrow margins in games that could have gone either way: points accumulated away from the uMhlathuze Stadium will go a long way to lift the NRB boys from mid table to the very top.

As it is, they are just five points off the pace.

A win away on Saturday and another potential three points at home to TS Galaxy on Sunday, 4 November in the following fixture will send out a strong message that coach Brandon Truter’s charges are more than equipped to fight for PSL promotion at the end of the current National First Division season.

But they will be without ace midfield playmaker Paseka Sekese, who was given a second card after petulantly kicking the ball away following a poor official’s decision.

This as NRB were going all out for a third goal after twice falling behind in their 2-2 draw with Utongathi FC last Sunday.

It was a cracking contest played on a saturated field in howling wind conditions.

Both sides displayed excellent touches despite the conditions, with the local lads piling on the pressure after drawing level in the second half.

Mpho Erasmus and the ever consistent Mike Gumede were the goal scorers, while captain Xolani Ngcobo was not responsible for the two goals conceded and in fact, kept his side in the game with some superb saves.

Dave Savides Richards Bay FC’s playmaker Paseka Sekese outsprints his marker but could not escape a second half red card Mike Gumede (11) is joined in his celebratory run by teammate Khulekani Madondo after scoring NRB’s second goal

Mike Gumede is clearly brought down by Siphamandla Mtolo, who is far too late with his sliding challenge in the visitors’ penalty area…but the referee strangely books the NRB striker for diving

Mpho Erasmus starts his victory lap after scoring NRB’s first equaliser against Uthongathi on Sunday, while Njabulo Ngcobo joins the celebration and Sandile Mthethwa retrieves the ball from the back of the net