WITH two goals against them well into the second half, Thanda Royal FC managed a remarkable comeback to score two of their own and ending the game in a draw against Milano United at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.
Although both Thanda goals came from penalties, this was not a true reflection of their increasing dominance as the match progressed.
The goals conceded against them came from uncharacteristic lapses at the back, one at the start of each half and, in both cases, Thanda was caught on the counter.
The first goal came in the 8th minute after a miss-hit slice from a cross floated casually over the line (0-1).
The second was due to a crowded boxful of defenders failure to man-mark the towering figure of Taariq Fieles whose attempted header hit his shoulder and found the back of the net. (0-2).
However the home fans have grown used to Thanda showing strength of character when down, with this game been no exception.
Numerous scoring opportunities failed to get results after wave after wave of attack occurred causing the Milano players to resort to desperation challenges in an attempt to deny Thanda, which cost them in the end.
First, Boy Gumede had the ball in the back of the net, only to see the distant flagman wave for handball.
But a handball of their own saw Milano keeper Wensten van der Linde face the spot kick of Phumelele Bhengu and remain rooted to the line as the ball powered past (1-2).
Now just one goal behind, Thanda stepped up the pace.
A well-placed pass split the defence and put Bhengu through, only for a defender to slice him down from behind as he entered the box and homed in on goal.
Once more the referee pointed to the spot and once more Bhengu slammed it home to secure his brace.
The excitement continued right to the final whistle, with Diamond Thopela’s cross barely beating Bhengu’s outstretched leg just a metre from the gaping goalmouth in the dying seconds.
They could have had all three, but Thanda will welcome the valuable point from the 2-2 draw, which sees their spectacular undefeated streak now extended to eight matches.
Thanda will be playing again this weekend against FC Cape Town at an away fixture.
