Orlando Pirates Reserves claimed a convincing 4-0 win in their DStv Diski Challenge fixture against Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows at Rand Stadium on Saturday morning.
Unbeaten in their opening two fixtures, the young Buccaneers were in search of their second win in as many weeks as they locked horns with a side yet to register a win this season.
Neither side could assert dominance early on, with the first 15 minutes of the derby breezing by without much incidence.
It took a further five minutes for the first clear opportunity, with the visitors getting close through a free kick hit straight at Bucs keeper Zoey Monyepao.
Pirates responded moments later with a chance of their own, created by Ciniso Mazibuko with an excellent low cross from the left which found striker Mehluleli Maphumulo, who had the ball burgled from his feet by the keeper.
They had an even better chance at taking the lead in the 36th minute when Maphumulo and Tebogo Masemola each had a go at the Swallows goal during a goalmouth scramble, but neither player could find the target.
The opener eventually came six minutes later, and it was through a set piece right in front of goal taken by Lonwabo Magugwana, whose brilliantly-struck effort left the keeper rooted to the spot.
Just before the break, the Bucs defence had to weather a bright period from the visitors, with Monyepao intervening with an excellent save to keep out what looked like a certain goal from a shot taken from close range.
The Bucs shot-stopper began the second half as he finished the first as he was called upon once more, diving to his left to pull off another superb save.
The hosts were however quick to wrestle back the initiative, finding opportunities through Maphumulo and Ciniso Mazibuko with neither player managing to breach the Swallows defence.
The pattern continued until the final 10 minutes of the contest when Nkota sparked a moment of magic with an excellent turn on the right to work himself into space before cutting back towards Lulama Nxumalo, who only needed a single touch to turn the ball into the net.
Two quickly became three as Nkota went on a superb solo run out wide before cutting inside and curling the ball into the far corner.
The Bucs winger continued to boss that right channel and completed his brace on the stroke of full-time with a near-identical surge on the flank, capped off by another excellent finish to make it 4-0.
That turned out to be the last action of the game as Pirates walked off with a convincing Soweto Derby victory, which gave them seven points in their opening three games.
Pirates Reserves XI: Monyepao, Mbokazi, Sibiya (Nxumalo 80’), Masemola (Chibwe 74’), Mohlala , Molepo, Selepe, Magugwana, Mazibuko (Nzimande 57’), Nkota, Maphumulo (Ndaba 80’).
