BOIPATONG.- Innocent Bathoeng produced a spectacular Man of the Match performance to guide Boipatong FC to a 4-1 victory over Vaal Juventus FC at the Boipatong Stadium on Sunday.

The vital win keeps Boipatong FC at the top of the SAFA Sedibeng Hollywoodbets Men’s Regional League table with 68 points, leaving them with just one match left to complete their season. However, they had to fight hard for the points, as Bathoeng’s individual brilliance was needed to rescue his side after they fell behind.

The visitors started the match much stronger, dominating possession and forcing the home team to chase shadows in the opening stages. Vaal Juventus moved the ball well from the back, playing an admirable but risky style of football.

Their pressure paid off when they took the lead from a set-piece, silencing the capacity crowd.

The home fans remained quiet until Boipatong FC managed to find an equaliser, sending the two teams into the half-time break locked at 1-1. Vaal Juventus continued to dominate possession in the second half but failed to make the most of their time on the ball. Meanwhile, Boipatong FC created numerous scoring opportunities but initially struggled to convert them, frustrating their supporters.

The match turned when Bathoeng took control.

The quick forward ran riot against the opposition defenders, who had no answer to his pace, and he scored three goals in quick succession to secure his hat-trick.

Vaal Juventus refused to be bullied…

Despite the scoreline, the young Vaal Juventus side refused to be bullied and showed some exciting footwork of their own. They are currently the youngest team in the league. With only one or two games remaining for the teams at the top, the final standings remain unclear. In another crucial top-of-the-table clash, Ben 10 FC and Metro Stars FC played out a goalless draw.