Durban City’s perfect start to the Betway Premiership season came to an end after a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening.
Unbeaten City were unchanged from the late win over Chippa United, while the visitors made just one change from their victory against Richards Bay FC in Jerome Karelse.
The latter didn’t have a dream maiden outing and picked out his own net on ten minutes after attempting a defensive clearance off the head.
City continued to have the fair share of momentum all-round albeit buoyed by the front-foot, as the visitors struggled to get into rhythm.
In an end-to-end spell, Abafana Besthende very nearly grabbed the leveller from smart play on the wings by Keenan Phillips but the Team of Choice tracked back and cleared their lines.
However, the visitors’ persistence were rewarded four minutes to halftime when Sede Dion tucked in the far corner from a tight angle following a flowing move.
A double substitution by Arrows ahead of the second half saw Ayabulela Maxwele in for Nqubeko Dlamini and Siyanda Mthanti for Karelse.
City could’ve regained the lead ten minutes from the interval through a snap shot from a clever angle by Mfanafuthi Mkhize, but he clattered the woodwork.
Maxwele almost put his outfit ahead for the first time in the match soon thereafter with a rasping attempt from range, but it didn’t trouble Darren Keet.
The clash became evenly poised in the closing stages through fierce challenges and reduced clear-cut chances on either side.
Arrows looked to steal the victory two minutes to the end with a header from Bongani Cele following a cross, but he went wide and all square it finished.
Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Durban City: Keet, de Kock, Mkhize, Ncanana, Maphathe, Jodwana, Jurgens, Maseko, Mokwena, Domingo, Lubumba
Golden Arrows: Maova ,Jiyane, Phillips , Shitolo , S.Cele, Zwane, Komara, Dlamini, Karelse, P.Khumalo, Dion