Northerns hang on for draw
They drew 4-4 with Northerns' Tsakani Mnguni scoring a brace while Ambassadors' Samuel Mahlangu grabbing a hat-trick.
It was more a sigh of relief for Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC) than joy at the final whistle after Tshatsho Molapo saved the day with a blinder at the death in their SAFA Ekurhuleni Hollywoodbets Regional League match against Ambassadors on March 8.
Molapo scored a cracker late in the match to level matters and salvage a 4-4 draw for Northerns on a day where nothing seemed to work for the hosts, who chased shadows for the entire match.
It was disappointing considering that they let slip of a 2-0 lead early in the first half and the fact that they lost control in front of their faithful caused great concern for Coach Alessandro Carli.
Although still trying to figure things out in this league where the officiating leaves much to be desired, the encounter against the Thembisa outfit meant it was not the usual blast of euphoria for Carli and his charges. It was more of a feeling of thanks that it didn’t become another major slip-up.
Although they will feel undone by the referee after his linesman’s blunder led to Ambassadors’ fourth goal, Northerns were their worst enemies.
They had the upper hand when Tsakani Mnguni and Lebo Mamale slotted two early penalties after Mamale was fouled twice inside the area.
But they allowed the visitors back into the contest as Samuel Mahlangu’s brace cut down the deficit. In between Mahlangu’s goals, the ref awarded Northerns a soft penalty after sanctioning Ambassadors defender Petrus Motshegoa for clipping Tebogo Pitso.
Mnguni stepped up and made it 3-2 as Northerns went into the break with the lead.
Simpson was called into action early in the second half when Mahlangu hit from close range but the Northerns keeper pulled a reflex save before Madumetja Moshupye equalized moments later.
Ambassadors had possession and chances but did nothing with either. It was thanks to the match officials that they scored their fourth goal when a linesman called for a corner despite Simpson catching the ball outside the field.
From the corner kick, Mahlangu grabbed his hat-trick but their joy was short-lived when super-sub Molapo scored a wonder from 30 yards.
After receiving the ball on the right flank, he raised his head, he realised the keeper was out of his area and looped the ball over his head to salvage a point for his team, much to the relief of the home fans.
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