TS Galaxy thrash Maritzburg United to give Owen Da Gama his first win as coach
The Rocket shot up to 12th place on the log table
TS Galaxy moved from bottom (16th) on the log table to 12th with a deserved 3-0 win over Maritzburg United yesterday evening.
The DSv Premiership match was played at Harry Gwala Stadium. It was the first win for new coach, Owen Da Gama, who lost his first match in charge against Chippa United last Saturday.
Shaun Bartlett joined the club as assistant coach on Sunday and it was his first game in his new position.
Before last night’s match The Rockets had eight log points, with one win, five draws and five defeats. They had scored seven and conceded 14 goals.
The Rockets dominated last night’s match and the score-line could have been bigger. They created numerous opportunities and kept possession for long periods.
The hard work on the training field paid off. Da Gama and Bartlett have promised to bring a positive culture to the club. Their influence, in a short time, was evident on the pitch.
Wayde Lekay scored in the 33rd minute. Lindokuhle Mbatha made the pass and Lekay made the perfect strike to beat Jethren Barr.
Three minutes into the second half Mbatha scored after teammate, Mxolisi Macuphu, provided him with the ball.
Felix Badenhorst replaced Lekay and nailed a free-kick into the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
TS Galaxy’s mission for the 2020/21 season is far from over and they are still under pressure with two wins from 12 matches.
Only two log points separate them from the three bottom-placed teams. But only five log points separate The Rockets from the top-half of the log.
The next three matches will be vital. They are all away, versus Orlando Pirates on January 26, Black Leopards on January 30 and Bloemfontein Celtic on February 24.
The match between TS Galaxy and Bloemfontein Celtic, which was scheduled for Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, has been postponed. Celtic are in Benin where they will play Nigerian club, Rivers United, in a CAF Confederation Cup match on Saturday.
On Sunday The Rockets said in a press release that they had appointed Bartlett (48) as assistant coach. Bartlett had been without a club since leaving Kaizer Chiefs, where he was assistant to Ernst Middendorp, at the end of last season.
Da Gama and Bartlett were coach and assistant coach of the SA u/23 team that won the bronze medal in the 2015 u/23 Africa Cup of Nations and competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“I recommended Shaun because I’ve worked with him in the past. I coached him at Bloemfontein Celtic when he came back from overseas (in 2009). I also worked with him as an assistant in the South African u/23 team. “I know his talent and his commitment to the game. Most importantly I admire his work ethic.
“We have to work very hard now. He understands the South African game very well,” Da Gama said on Sunday.
Bartlett said, “I’m delighted to join the club. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and to the prospect of getting the club higher on the log. “It is good to reunite with coach, Owen Da Gama. TS Galaxy is a good club in a sense that you can grow as a coach. Being new in the league means that whatever that you do get recognised.”
