Swallows FC moved six points clear of the relegation zone after defeating high-flying Richards Bay FC 1-0 on Friday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Swallows FC 1-0 Richards Bay FC
Date: 02 February 2023
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Swallows handed new signing David Uromi his debut alongside the return of Gregory Damons. Richards Bay, on the other hand, also gave Khetha Shabalala his first appearance of the season alongside recalls for Siphamandla Mtolo and Yamela Mbuthuma.
The sides were sizing each other up in the early exchanges and Somila Ntsundwana had the first chance on 15 minutes for the visitors after he was setup in a good position in the box from a set-piece but he fired his shot over the crossbar.
The Natal Rich Boyz continued to threaten as Mbuthuma had a golden chance nine minutes later from another set-piece routine but cushioned his header over the top following a cross by Siyanda Msani.
As the Birds tried to get into the game, they could not establish any attacking rhythm in the latter phase of the first stanza as a couple of stoppages affected the momentum and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
To jack up Swallows' performances in the second stanza, Ernst Middendorp made a quadruple change at the start of the second half that saw Waseem Isaacs, Kwanda Mngonyama, Lindokuhle Mtshali and Juniad Sait.
The changes gave the Birds new energy as Keegan Allan had a chance to break the deadlock on 65 minutes with a header in the box that was smothered by goalkeeper Salim Magoola.
With Richards Bay unable to combine going forward, they made a double change to get cohesion in midfield with 20 minutes to go as Nkanyiso Zungu and Sakhile Hlongwa entered the fray.
However, Swallows continued to have the upper hand going forward as Kagiso Malinga broke the deadlock nine minutes before time by nodding home a cross from Mtshali for his second league goal of the game.
Isaacs had a chance to put the result beyond doubt for the Birds but had a shot in the bottom corner kept out by Magoola, although Middendorp's men did just about enough to get their second win since the restart that moved them off the relegation zone.
Here's how they lined up:
Swallows FC: 31. Mbanjwa, 32. Lukhubeni, 2. Sibiya, 28. Sasman, 4. Allan, 18. Damons, 6. Mthethwa, 38. Uromi, 26. Malinga, 47. Wambi, 19. Rusike
Subs: 50. Tshabalala, 3. Isaacs, 34. Sait, 20. Musonda, Sam, 44. Mngonyama, 7. Mtshali, 43. Zulu, Amoojee
Richards Bay FC: 80. Magoola, 2. Maphathe, 35. Mabua, 5. Shabalala, 34. Nyauza, 4. Mtolo, 45. Ntsundwana, 6. Mabaso, 9. Mbuthuma, 20. Mthembu, 7. Msani
Subs: 16. Jacobs, 10. Memela, 15. Hlongwa, 50. Zungu, 27. Makateng, 14. Majadibodu, 30. Barns, 21. Mhlongo, 22. Mabuya
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
