Maritzburg United defeated relegation-threatened Baroka 3-1 in an Absa Premiership encounter on Friday afternoon at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The home side started the brighter of the two teams and almost took the lead as early as the fourth minute, but Dineo Shaku’s timely intervention ensured Mohau Mokate’s effort didn’t go in.

Fadlu Davids’ side gradually got into their rhythm and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute courtesy of a fine strike by defender Kwanda Mngonyama.

Bakgaga failed to get into their usual fluid passing rhythm and were punished in the 25th minute when Mokate doubled his lead for the Team of Choice.

Baroka posed little in response to Maritzburg’s dominance and almost conceded a third in the 30th minute, but Mokate failed to direct his effort on target after some great interplay between him and Lebohang Maboe.

The visitors were denied by goalkeeper Virgil Vries who denied Marshall Munetsi from close range as Maritzburg took a 2-0 lead into the half-time break.

Baroka introduced Jose Garcia for the ineffective Richard Matloga at the start of the second halF as they went in search of a goal.

The visitors gave a much better account of themselves in the second-half and came close to breaking the deadlock through a headed effort from Letladi Madubanya.

Baroka were handed a lifeline in the 60th minute when the referee gave them a penalty, which was slotted away by substitute Jose Garcia.

The home side should have sealed the victory in the 80th minute when Siphesihle Ndlovu dribbled past a few opponents before squaring the ball to Mokate, who somehow missed despite having an open net at his mercy.

Defender Bevan Fransman put the final nail in the coffin when he smashed home a fierce free-kick to give his side a 3-1 lead.

Maritzburg maintained their two-goal lead to run out 3-1 victors and plunge Baroka further into the relegation zone.

Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix