Orlando Pirates Reserves clinched their third straight win as they claimed a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows in their DStv Diski Challenge encounter at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday morning.
With two wins in their last two games, the Bucs Reserves sought to make it a hat-trick of victories as they faced off against an Arrows outfit boasting a single point in their two most recent outings.
It was a bright start from the hosts who had opportunities early in the first half, with Allesandro Du Plessis called upon early on.
Pirates did enjoy some promising moments going forward, but weren’t able to carve out clear-cut chances in the face of a determined Arrows defence.
Winger Siyanda Mthanti could have put the home side ahead in the first half when he manoeuvred inside the box, freeing himself up for a shot, only to strike the crossbar.
The Buccaneers overcame early pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, with Du Plessis making some fine saves to keep the hosts scoreless.
They posed a threat of their own on the hour mark, with Mohau Nkota forcing a save off Arrows keeper Nqobani Langa, before the woodwork intervened once more at the other end as the two sides traded blows.
Second-half substitute Surprise Matjeni provided some spark as the clock wound down, testing the shot-stopper twice in a short space of time.
It was fast appearing as if the game was headed for a stalemate, until eight minutes from the final whistle when Jabulani Mokone made the breakthrough with a long-range strike from the right hand side of the field, leaving Langa with no chance.
One goal quickly turned into two as it took just seconds after the restart for the Buccaneers to double their lead when Siphamandla Mdunge delivered a fine cross from the right into the path of Matjeni, who did not err this time around as he finished calmly from close range.
With no time for Arrows to launch a comeback, Pirates held on to their lead to make it nine points in their last three games with one fixture remaining until the end-of-the-year break.
Pirates Reserves XI: Du Plessis, Mokone, Mohlala, Ndlozi, Kabini, Molepo, Mndebele (Moremi 20’), Khumalo (Bule 58’), Khoto (Mdunge 70’), Nkota (Matjeni 70’), Ratomo.
