League

Athlone
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5500, Seating: 1900, VIP seats: 100) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Rob Mandla made the kick off which started today's match. Mpenza Thompson stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rob Mandla's shot from short distance in the 4th minute. Harry Mayoyo struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Mpenza Thompson didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Santos FC Cape Town. In the 8th minute of the match Papi Klein sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Hlamane Mandela skillfully saved the ball. A collision led to Santos FC Cape Town getting a freekick after 9 minutes play. Henry Okpara hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in Beledale's zone, Rob Mandla stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mpenza Thompson came out of the goal and Rob Mandla tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Rob Mandla's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 23rdth minute, Mpenza Thompson skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Beledale's defense didn't have a chance, in the 24th minute, when Harry Mayoyo scored to the left of an out of position Mpenza Thompson, making the score, 2-0. Vuyo Steyn's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Hlamane Mandela read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 30th minute of play. Mpenza Thompson was out of position in the 36 minute of play, and Rob Mandla capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Rob Mandla really showed his touch with that goal: 3-0. The audience thought a goal was coming when Rob Mandla got free with Mpenza Thompson in the 44th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Rob Mandla struck a weak shot in the 46th minute. Mpenza Thompson didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Santos FC Cape Town. Vuyo Steyn sent away a hard shot on goal in the 48th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 3-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Vuyo Steyn was the one to do the kick off. Hlamane Mandela made an important save on a dangerous shot by Rafael Thwala in the 53rd minute. Vuyo Steyn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hlamane Mandela having to interfere. Mpenza Thompson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rob Mandla in the 59th minute of the match. Hlamane Mandela didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Rafael Thwala went, in the 62nd minute, to the upper right corner, 3-1 was the resulting score. After 65 played minutes Santos FC Cape Town got a freekick which was hit by Brandon Modipa. After some fancy dribbling in the 68th minute, Rafael Thwala managed to get in a good position for a shot. Beledale's supporters rose to their feet, but Rafael Thwala was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Hlamane Mandela breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Beledale's Mpenza Thompson played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Harry Mayoyo in the 71st minute of play. In the 74th minute of the match Thomas Dube shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Mpenza Thompson showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Mpenza Thompson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rob Mandla in the 76th minute of the match. In the 77th minute Henry Okpara shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mpenza Thompson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Santos FC Cape Town's Leslie Strauss managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Nelson Qabi in the 83 minute of the game. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rob Mandla in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Mpenza Thompson prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Papi Klein hit a great freekick 86 minutes into the match. Rob Mandla received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 88th minute. Mpenza Thompson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rob Mandla in the 90th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mpenza Thompson saved Beledale from getting behind. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Rob Mandla in the 92nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mpenza Thompson saved Beledale from getting behind. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Vuyo Steyn in the 95th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hlamane Mandela prevented the ball from getting in the gole. There was no doubt that Santos FC Cape Town were the better team. Santos FC Cape Town's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.