Lerato Lamola netted a brace to hand Golden Arrows a 3-1 victory against a ten-man Kaizer Chiefs outfit on Tuesday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Lamola broke the deadlock with a fine individual effort as early as the fourth minute by capping off the run with an equally fine chipped finish past Itumeleng Khune.

The early goal didn’t seem to knock Amakhosi out of their attacking stride as they made inroads in a bid to equalise with Bernard Parker coming close in the seventh minute.

Chiefs were reduced to ten-men when Leonardo Castro was shown a straight red-card after a horrible over-the-ball challenge.

Khune was called into action a number of times in his new-role as sweeper keeper. The Bafana Bafana international was almost embarrassingly caught out with a bicycle kick from outside the area, but defender Eric Mathoho spared his blushes.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Chiefs more than held their own and even created a few chances, with winger Joseph Molangoane creating havoc for the home side.

Molangoane was directly responsible for the equaliser, playing in a delightful ball for Parker who in turn clipped it over the onrushing goalkeeper.

Arrows came out with attacking intent in the second stanza and doubled their lead in the 48th minute when Danny Venter’s bursting run saw him find Lamola in the area, with the striker making no mistake to grab his brace.

Lamola was certainly having a night to remember and would have had his third, had it not been for Khune’s intervention in the 53rd minute.

Chiefs opted for their first change of the game in the 65th minute when Philani Zulu replaced Tsepo Masilela.

George Maluleka came agonisingly close to leveling matters courtesy of a well-struck freekick, but his effort deflected inches wide of the post.

Maluleka, again came close with ten minutes left on the clock, but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line.

In the end, it proved a frustrating evening for Chiefs who suffered a 3-1 loss.

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