Leopards’ start to the game belied their lowly log position as they knocked the ball around nicely and pushed forward on attack.

However, when dispossessed, the visitors looked vulnerable on defence and it was Santos who threatened to score first as Thando Mngomeni and Erwin Isaacs tested keeper Mashudu Mamphita from range in the opening 20 minutes.

As Lidoda Duvha started to fade in attack, The Peoples’ Team began to look more purposeful up front, which lead to the 26^th minute opening goal.

Thando Mngomeni was the man to get the ball into the back of the net, after his well-struck free kick took a deflection off the wall

Nine minutes later the Cape side doubled their lead when Eleazar Rodgers showed good composure to beat Mamphita from close range after Thom-Rick October had whipped in a cross from the right.

Rodgers and strike partner Erwin Isaacs, who initially missed the cross, were completely unmarked in front of goal as Leopards got their off-side trap horribly wrong.

There was little action in the early stages of the second half with the only goal-mouth action coming from Fisher Kondowe’s free kick in the 48^th minute, which flew marginally over the bar.

Leopards continued to press forward and after Sibusiso Dlamini and Fisher Kondowe had caused Santos some un-comfort inside the box in the 58^th minute, it took a brilliant save from Roberts to deny Alpheus Kekana from scoring with a long-range pile-driver.

But when a team is in form, everything seems to go their way and there was an element of luck in Santos’ third goal as Romano Scott’s cross-cum-shot took a wicked deflection and lobbed over Mamphita and into the net.

It took just two minutes for Scott to complete is brace when he comfortably slotted the ball past an advancing Mamphita after a wonderful through ball by Mngomeni.

In the 77^th minute substitute Ryan Chapman had the opportunity to add insult to injury with a fifth when he found himself clean through on goal, but in trying to go round the keeper, he allowed Mamphita to grab the ball.

However, the miss was immaterial as the Peoples’ Team went onto to record yet another win and move just three points off the top of the log.

TEAMS

Santos: Roberts, Otieno, Makonese, Arendse, October, French, Gabonamong, Mngomeni (Paulse 82’), Scott (Chimodzi 76’), Isaacs, Rodgers (Chapman 67’)
Coach: Bright

Leopards: Mamphitha, Lubanzadio, Mponda, Ramavhale, Kekana, Ngambi, Netshidzivhe, Mulaudzi (Toromba 46’), Kondowe, Maluleke (Dlamini 46’), Shongwe
Coach: Murape

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We would love to hear from other Engen Santos fans - whether it be on the current form of the
PSL side, or your own personal stories while supporting the team over the years...

Please e-mail Rodney Reiners: rodney.r@santosfc.co.za

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