Highlands fight back to hold Arrows

Azwitamisi Ramagalela of Highlands Park

Saturday Feb 29, 2020. 17:49

Highlands Parks and Lamontville Golden Arrows drew 1-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The draw left Abafana Bes’thende placed eighth on the league standings, while the Lions of the North remained seventh on the log.

Abafana Bes’thende got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock through Lerato Lamola just six minutes into the encounter.

Divine Lunga’s cross was headed home by former Bloemfontein Celtic striker Lamola to make it 1-0 to Arrows.

The Lions of the North had a find a way to respond with a goal, but they were frustrated by the Abafana Bes’thende’s defence.

Danny Phiri, who was working hard in midfield, had a chance to double the hosts’ lead just before the half-hour mark

However, the Zimbabwean central midfielder placed his effort wide of the target without troubling Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh.

Arrows were leading 1-0 at the interval after containing Highlands in the first-half.

The visitors pushed forward in numbers after the restart, but they could only try their luck from range as the Arrows was solid and compact.

Sello Motsepe saw his effort blocked by Arrows defender Siyabonga Dube, before Lindokuhle Mbatha placed his shot wide of the target.

Highlands coach Owen Da Gama decided to pull out defender Ali Banda and he introduced striker Rodney Ramagalela.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns striker proved to be an inspired substitute as he hit the back of the net to make it 1-1 for Arrows four minutes after the hour-mark.

Arrows coach Steve Komphela reacted by introducing promising attacker Seth Parusnath as the home side looked to snatch a late winning goal.

The two teams launched late attacks as they looked to grab a late goal, but they could not score and ultimately, the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw.

Arrows (1) 1 (Lamola 6′)

Highlands (0) 1 (Ramagalela 64′)

Arrows XI: Mlungwana, Lunga, Mathiane, Sibisi, Dube, Shitolo, Phiri, Makhubela (Parusnath 79′), Mtshali (Sibiya 70′), Mutizwa, Lamola (M.Gumede 73′).

Highlands XI: Heugh, Mokoena, Rae, Fransman, Banda (Ramagalela 59′), Mzava, Motsepe, Mbhele, Shalulile, Mbatha (Mvala 78′), Mogaila (Munyai 83′).