Lamontville Golden Arrows claimed a 2-1 victory over Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The win saw Abafana Bes’thende climb to the top of the league standings and they will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns away on August 15.
Richards Bay, on the other hand, remained at the bottom of the league standings after recording their second successive defeat and they are scheduled to face AmaZulu FC away on August 19.
The Natal Rich Boys started the match brightly and they had three shots on target within the first 15 minutes of the game including Letsie Koapeng’s curling effort which was blocked by goalkeeper Ismail Watenga at the near post in the third minute.
Abafana Bes’thende grew gradually into the game and they hit the crossbar through Angelo Van Rooi in the 31st minute before keeper Salim Magoola produced a low save to deny Knox Mutizwa in the 35th minute.
The pressure was mounting on Richards Bay’s defence and the hosts conceded in the 36th minute when Ryan Moon controlled the ball before scoring to make it 1-0 to Arrows who leading during the halftime break.
The hosts searched for the equalising goal after the restart and they were awarded after substitute Thobani Mthembu was fouled in the box and Boikanyo Komane converted the resultant penalty to make it 1-1 with four minutes left on the clock.
However, the Natal Rich Boys went to sleep at the back and they were punished by substitute Olwethu Ncube who netted in stoppage time to earn Arrows a 2-1 victory over Richards Bay whose defence was exposed.