Lerato Lamola helped Golden Arrows claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cape Town City in the Absa Premiership at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS. 

The encounter got off to a slow start with both side’s trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.

City had the first chance at goal in the 10th minute as Thamsanqa Mkhize found space on the right before steering a ball into the box for Ayanda Patosi, who saw his goal-bound shot blocked by defender Trevor Mathiane.

Lyle Lakay had a chance to break the deadlock when he beat defender Zolani Nkombelo before curling his effort towards goal, but Maximilian Mbaeva was on hand to make a vital save.

At the other end, Danny Venter should’ve put his side ahead, but saw his strike flash across the face of goal.

The match went into the half time interval with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

Arrows snatched the lead four minutes into the second half as Musa Bilankulu made his way into the area to pick out Lerato Lamola, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, 1-0.

City shot-stopper Sage Stephens came to his sides rescue in the 62nd minute when he produced a superb save to prevent Venter’s free-kick from finding the top corner.

Venter missed another excellent chance to double his side’s advantage, but the midfielder could not find the right connection to guide his effort into the net from six-yards out.

Craig Martin should’ve found the back of the net, but he failed to connect with a long ball into the area with only Mbaeva to beat, while there was a scramble that saw Arrows somehow prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Mkhize had a golden opportunity to level matters in stoppage time but saw his effort hit the outside of the post as Arrows held on to claim all three points at Cape Town Stadium.

In other Absa Premiership results:

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Chippa United

Orlando Pirates 2-1 Bloemfontein Celtic

Free State Stars 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Platinum Stars 0-0 Baroka

Polokwane City 1-0 SuperSport United

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix