SANTOS GRAB LATE EQUALISER AGAINST CHAMPIONS



27 October 2009

Determination and a never-say-die attitude saw the Peoples’ Team scoring an injury time goal to draw 2-2 with SuperSport United at the Super Stadium on Wednesday night. .

SuperSport were the stronger side early on, but found it difficult to break down a resolute Santos defence.

And having absorbed all that Matsatsantsa could throw at them, it was the Peoples’ Team who drew first blood, scoring in the 18 th minute through King’s free kick.

From a wide position on the right, King swung in a left-footed delivery which just eluded the on-rushing Santos attackers, who did enough to distract United keeper Emile Baron, allowing the ball to go directly into the net.

SuperSport certainly did not deserve to be a goal down and they restored parity just five minutes later through an outstanding effort by the young Thandani Ntshumayelo.

A minute before the break the Cape side had an excellent chance to go in front when they swept up field in a slick move, which saw the ball played in to Spelman. Spelman laid the ball into King’s path, but his shot flew well over the bar.

There was drama eight minutes after the restart when the league champions were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of captain Bongani Khumalo, who was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Santos keeper Tshepo Motsoeneng.

The game remained evenly poised, with Santos having the first opportunity of the second half to score when King released Romano Scott through on goal.

Scott however was not able to get his shot away quickly enough and Daine Klate was able to make an excellent challenge in his own box.

But in the 70 th minute the hosts went in front for the first time on the night when defender Gould showed superb application to power home Ntshumayelo’s deep cross, in the process netting his fifth league goal of the season.

With substitute, (and former SuperSport winger) Tony Tsabedze providing some impetus off the bench, the Peoples’ Team pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.

They did in fact have the ball in the back of the net in the 87 th minute through Spelman, but his effort was ruled off-sides.

However, there was to be a final twist in the tail of an intriguing game when Ryan Chapman’s low cross picked out Spelman, who slide the ball home at the back post.

SuperSport: (4-4-2) Baron; September, Khumalo, Gould, Kannemeyer; Laffor (Katza 63’), Ntshumayelo, Maluleke, Klate; Salmon (Monteiro 63’), Nkosi (Kekana 85’)

Santos: (4-4-2) Motsoeneng; Ntloana, W Arendse, Gabonamong, Skippers; Scott (Chapman 73’), Mafoko (Tsabedze 76’), T Arendse, King; Isaacs (Otieno 46’), Spelman