Richards Bay FC moved away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Sunday afternoon.
Galaxy surprisingly started Mlungisi Mbunjana, Mpho Mvelase and Dzenan Zajmovic on the bench, while the Natal Rich Boys dropped Ian Otieno for Salim Magoola in goal following the heavy loss at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The start to the match didn’t lack activity in the final third, as both sides pushed numbers forward in a desperate quest to find the breakthrough but to no avail.
Galaxy shaded the balance of play later on and enjoyed the forward momentum through Keagan Dolly, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Marks Munyai and Victor Letsoalo.
Magoola, however, was called to make a save five minutes to halftime when he stepped off his line to thwart a cross-cum shot from the left of the area by Puso Dithejane.
The Rockets were needed to make a substitution a minute to the break, with Kganyane Letsoenyo being stretchered off and replaced by Thamsanqa Masiya.
However, Galaxy trailed six minutes into the second half when Lindokuhle Zikhali pounced on a stray pass before racing clear and firing home.
Zikhali quickly turned into a villain as he was sent off four minutes later after picking up a second yellow card of the contest.
The Rockets were eager to level matters a little later on, with substitute Zajmovic coming close off a first-time shot in the box, but the Serbian's effort went well over.
Richards Bay, though, had moments to add to their advantage with Ngema, Yanela Mbuthuma and Thabani Gumede keeping the Rockets busy.
Galaxy looked to have earned a penalty in added time after a foul on Sphiwe Mahlangu, but it was quickly overturned by the match officials for an offside as the Natal Rich Boys held on for the win and moved up to 11th spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Ira, Munyai, M.Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo, Mgaga, Maduna, Dolly, Sebelebele, Dithejane, Letsoalo
Subs: Ciupa, Mbunjana, Seema, Mvelase, Sovsic, Masiya, Zajmovic, S. Mahlangu
Richards Bay: Magoola, Gcaba, Ndaba, Mabua, Mcineka, Zulu, Gumede, Zikhali, Mbuthuma, Mhlongo, Thikazi
Subs: Otieno, Bomelo, Ngema, Allan, Mohlamme, Ntsundwana, Mdantsane, Macuphu, Mdunge
