Absa Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 1-4 Orlando Pirates
Date: 16 April 2016
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Orlando Pirates claimed a second consecutive win as they thumped Golden Arrows 4-1 in their Absa Premiership clash on Saturday.
Arrows made it clear in the first few minutes that they would play for three points as they piled numbers forward in an attempt to put pressure on the visitors.
However, it was Pirates who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Ngcobo was too casual in possession in a dangerous position which allowed Nyauza to get the ball and play Tendai Ndoro through. The striker did the rest with a composed finish.
Another poor piece of defending, this time from Siyabonga Dube, allowed a through-ball from Masalesa to find Luvuyo Memela, who produced a measured strike to beat Mbaeva.
The game slowed down after the first two goals, but Bucs were given a chance to make it 3-0 in the 44th minute when Thabo Matlaba won a penalty. Ndoro stepped up and coolly slotted the spot-kick.
Abafana Bes'thende started the second half eagerly and came within inches of reducing the deficit as Hlongwane smashed a shot onto Mhlongo's far post.
A bizarre decision by the referee in the 53rd minute saw Pirates reduced to 10 men as Masalesa was shown a second yellow card for time wasting.
Arrows had another good chance when a long ball into the Bucs area found Hotto, but his headed effort went just over the bar.
The hosts deservedly found their first goal in the 64th minute. A quickly taken free kick caught out Pirates, allowing Hotto to play Nduduzo Sibiya through and the substitute did the rest.
The latter stages of the second half was a scrappy affair as Pirates worked hard with 10 men to defend their lead while Arrows tried to find their next goal to no avail.
In stoppage-time Issa Sarr capped off the victory with a well-taken strike he drilled home from a corner kick that found him unmarked.
Here's how they lined up:
Arrows: 1 Mbaeva, 4 Katjiukua, 20 Mathiane, 28 Sikhakhane, 14 Dube, 5 Shitolo, 29 Ngcobo, 41 Fikozolo, 7 Hotto, 49 Mhango, 30 Hlongwane
Pirates: 16 Mhlongo, 8 Matlaba, 2 Gcaba, 5 Makola, 7 Ndoro, 11 Myeni, 12 Masalesa, 25 Rakhale, 33 Gyimah, 34 Nyauza, 37 Memela.
