Highlands Park Reserves salvage a point against Maritzburg United
The home team took control of the game and pushed forward, but were unlucky in goals.
Highlands Park Reserves came back from a goal down to salvage a point against the stubborn Maritzburg United Reserves.
The two met in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge at the Makhulong Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors, Maritzburg United, drew first blood as early as the fourth minute of the game through a well-taken penalty by Banele Gama, after he was brought down inside the 18 area box.
This goal seemed to have ignited the visitors as they put pressure on head coach Willem Jackson’s boys.
Highlands Park goalkeeper Siyabonga Gumede denied the visitors another victory when he produced an out-of-this-world save, denying Banele Gama a double score.
In the 38th minute, coach Jackson made a brilliant substitution when he took off Olebogeng Mosiane for Camren Ashby.
Ashby’s introduction to the field changed the mood of the game and the home team started playing their normal game which they are known for.
Even though the first stanza belonged to the visitors, things took a 360-degree turn in the second period with Highlands Park dictating matters.
The home team took control of the game and pushed forward, but were unlucky in goals.
With time quickly fading away and out of nowhere, Ashby stole an equaliser with a well-taken cracker in the 83rd minute.
The home team came agonisingly close to grab a winner title but Maritzburg United’s goalkeeper Constandino Christodoulou produced two stunning saves in the stroke of full-time to deny them maximum points.
“I have been playing the very same combination every week, and we have been able to get results. I guess that is why we play as a united team that understands each other. I am happy so far with the performance of my boys, even though I believe we could have easily won the match, but I can take a point,” said Jackson.
