Durban City’s first ever foray into the Betway Premiership provided the perfect outcome – a 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy away at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a solid first outing for the newly-promoted side as Gavin Hunt’s charges enjoyed the better chances on goal while managing to limit the Mpumalanga side’s threat. Goals from the Betway Premiership Man-of-the-Match Samkelo Maseko and Mfanafuthi Mkhize made it a memorable afternoon for the debutants.
The first half saw both clubs showing good attacking intent – although there were not many clearcut chances with neither goalkeeper given much work.
The bulk of the openings did fall the way of Durban City – the first chance arriving in the 16th minute when Maseko squeezed in a low cross from the left which picked out Haashim Domingo. But with the ball slightly behind him and a defender closing in, Domingo was unable to find the target at the near post.
Eight minutes later Maseko had an opportunity of his own after some exciting interplay down the right wing helped open up some space on the edge of the box, but again the scoreline remained unchanged as Galaxy keeper Ira Tape reacted well at his near post to keep out the low shot.
The best chance of the opening stanza fell the way of the visiting team in the 28th minute when a cross into the Galaxy box was flicked towards the back post where Trevor Mokwena was lurking, only for the header to fly over the crossbar.
A few minutes before the interval the home side enjoyed their best opening of the game to that point but were unable to capitalise as Victor Letsoalo fired into the side netting after he had forced his way well into the Durban City box.
After going into the changeroom at 0-0, it took Hunt’s men just seconds of the second half to claim the lead – and their first ever goal in the Betway Premiership.
Maseko it was who had the honour, beating the home keeper from close range at the second attempt after his first shot was blocked, following an excellent delivery from the left by Joslin Kamatuka.
Galaxy rallied for an equaliser and were close when the ball was worked to Letsoalo in the box, but his shot was undercooked and Darren Keet was able to save comfortably.
City looked set to grab a two goal cushion in the 58th minute when Kamatuka located Mokwena on the edge of the area. The striker’s first touch was sublime as it took him past a defender, but his parting shot lacked venom.
The KwaZulu-Natal side did however not have to wait long for their second – it was 2-0 on the hour mark when Mkhize rose majestically in the box to power home a header from Domingo’s inviting corner.
Again the host team came fighting back and it took some good defending from newly-signed Durban City defender Liam de Kock to deflect Letsoalo’s header wide of the target.
At the other end, substitute Kyle Jurgens almost made an immediate impact when he drilled in a dipping shot from 25-yards out which drew a sharp save from the home keeper with 10 minutes to play.
City were able to play out the closing stages of the game in comfort as they put maximum points on the Betway Premiership table at the first time of asking.
Next up is the club’ first home match in the top-flight – against Chippa United at the Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday evening (19H30 kick off).
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