Arrows shoot down Magesi

Junior Dion © Gallo Images

Golden Arrows struck an injury-time winner to defeat Magesi FC 2-1 in a Betway Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Abafana Bes’thende registered a second league victory of the season to rise into fifth place on the log, while Dikwena Tsa Meetse remained winless and placed in the relegation playoff berth (15th).

Magesi got off to a great start by claiming the lead as early as the 10th minute, with Mcedi Vandala combining superbly with Wonderboy Makhubu before driving home a left-footed shot from just inside the 18-yard area.

However, Arrows hit back inside a minute to make it 1-1, with Siyanda Mthanti whipping in a cross from the right wing, and Sede Dion scored with a diving header from close range for his third goal in as many games.

The visitors suffered a blow after the half-hour mark when Vandala succumbed to injury and had to be replaced by Kgothatso Mariba, though they nearly reclaimed the lead around the same time, with Thabang Sibanyoni denied by Arrows goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo and Makhubu headed just off target from the rebound.

The half closed with the score at 1-1, and the first major chance after the restart saw Arrows almost surge ahead just past the hour mark via Gladwin Shitolo, who got on the end of a corner kick and volleyed an effort on goal, only for John Mokone to clear off the goal line.

In the 68th minute another Abafana Bes’thende corner kick saw Dion have a free header in the middle of the danger area, but his effort was straight at Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.

The match appeared destined for a draw, but two minutes into injury time Abafana Bes’thende substitute Nqobeko Dlamini ran onto Dion’s assist and provided an emphatic low drive past Chipezeze’s left hand to clinch a 2-1 win for the hosts.

The teams will return to Premiership action this coming Saturday, 30 August, with Arrows hosting Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium and Magesi welcoming AmaZulu FC to Seshego Stadium.

Golden Arrows (1) 2 (Dion 11’, Dlamini 90+2’)

Magesi FC (1) 1 (Vandala 10’)

ARROWS: Ngcobo, Phillips, Comara, Shitolo (Dlamini 65’), Sithole (T. Khumalo 64’), Maxwele, Zwane (Dube 64’), Mabaso (Jiyane 76’), Mantshiyane, Mthanti (P. Khumalo 76’), Dion

MAGESI: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Buthelezi, Makgoga, J. Mokone (Matima 89’), Zungu, Masegela, Mosadi (Baloyi 69’), Makhubu, Vandala (Mariba 34’), Sibanyoni (Seseane 69’)

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