Three wins in a row for upbeat NRB

DESPITE missing a penalty in each half and thumping the goalposts three times, Richards Bay FC managed to defeat Stellenbosch 2-1 at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.

They nearly paid the price for failing to tuck away all their chances, with NRB skipper Xolani Ngcobo pulling off a number of great saves in the closing minutes as the Bay boys strove to protect their lead.

But three points it is, with their third 2-1 result in three consecutive National First Division games and the same score line which gave them a Nedbank Cup win to make the last 32 draw which takes place tonight (Monday).

One shouldn’t nit-pick after Saturday’s victory, but if they fail to bury the ball when totally dominating matches, better sides will make them pay dearly.

The goalless first half was not without excitement, with the visitors starting well but Richards Bay gradually getting on top.

They should have been ahead in the 15th minute when Michael Roelf earned a penalty when his cross was hand balled, but his low spot kick was placed too close to Stellenbosch keeper Lee-Raoul Langeveldt, who managed to smother it with his body.

Welcome new NRB addition Mumuni Abubaker, who often caught the eye, came close on two occasions, including one that whizzed past the junction of post and crossbar as the half ended.

The second stanza began in a blinding flash when virtually from the kick-off super inter-passing between Stanley Muishond, Sphelele Mkhulise and Michael Roelf saw Michael Gumede leap high to meet a cross at the far post and nod the ball powerfully home.

Gumede had been woefully under-used in the first half and he relished his first opportunity (1-0).

A minute later, Roelf was put through and his rocket shot rattled the bar with Langeveldt a spectator.

But Roelf was not to be denied and he was on the scoreboard soon after when he swiveled just inside the box and curled a stunning left footer into the far corner- one to watch on the NFD Show highlights package (2-0).

The NRB pressure was relentless. Kulegani Madondo screamed one just over the bar before being brought down inside the box.

This time Muishond took the penalty, faring no better than Roelf as he struck the upright.

Muishond almost made amends midway through the half when he hit the bar.

The men from the Cape pulled one back as NRB lost concentration running down the clock (2-1) but they were soon back in attack mode and the sparkling Mkhulise saw his shot from distance barely tipped over the bar.

Katleho Maphathe, with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a sub, rounded two defenders and was millimetres wide with a precise side-footed strike.

Madondo also came close in the game’s dying embers but that mattered little as the sweet taste of success was savoured by coaches, players and fans alike as they left the stadium.

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