Stellies come from behind to thrash TS Galaxy

HERMAN GIBBS

Stellenbosch (2) 3

Adams 25; De Jong 41; Basadien 57

TS Galaxy (1) 1

Sebelebele 18

Stellenbosch FC kicked off the new season with a well-constructed victory over TS Galaxy in their MTN8 quarter-final yesterday afternoon at Danie Craven Stadium in the Winelands.

It was a morale-boosting win for Stellenbosch, who ended last season with a streak of five defeats but still managed their best Premiership finish in third place. The win ensures that Stellenbosch will join Orlando Pirates in the semi-final round.

Stellies coach Steve Barker said the pitch, that had been exposed to incessant rains over the past fortnight, made playing conditions difficult.

“The pitch didn’t make it too easy over the 90 minutes,” said Barker.

“Although we went down 1-0 against the run of play we controlled the rest of the first half. Later in the match, our third goal killed off the game and from that point onwards we didn't play like we wanted to.

“We managed to field two new players, and we learnt a lot from that experience. As long as we keep creating scoring chances, we’ll win matches.”

Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic was spitting mad and described the Danie Craven pitch as a “swimming pool”.

“I am ashamed to be part of this MTN8 match, it was an embarrassing thing. I don’t know how they could allow games to be played on a pitch like this,” said Ramovic.

“It is a disgrace. You cannot make an easy pass on this field. Maybe if we didn’t play in a swimming pool we’ll be ready for the season.”

In the opening three minutes, Stellenbosch had two shots at goal which, although way off target, was an early warning for the Mpumalanga visitors. Stellenbosch’s pacy but patient approach carved open Galaxy’s defence, but their goalkeeper Wensten van der Linde held out to deny the hosts after early attempts by midfielders Andre de Jong and Antonio van Wyk.

Against the run of play, Galaxy took the lead in the 17th minute after defender Kamogelo Sebelebele struck a low shot goalward. With Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens seeing the ball late in a packed goalmouth, the ball struck the upright and deflected into the goals (1-0).

While Stellenbosch were recovering from this rude shock Galaxy almost doubled their lead moments later but Stephens was alert to the danger and tipped the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

Over the rest of the half, it was one-way traffic as Stellenbosch closed out the first stanza with a 2-1 lead by the time referee Thando Ndzandzeka blew for half-time. First Jayden Adams (25th minute) and then Andre de Jong (41st) headed home from an in-swinging Fawaaz Basadien corner (2-1).

At times, Stellenbosch suffocated the visitors’ defence and their effort was worth four rather than two goals, given their first-half superiority.

As second-half play progressed, Basadien added his name to the scoresheet when he rounded off his overlapping run down the left flank after fine inter-play by Stellenbosch in the opposition goalmouth (3-1) just before the hour mark.

As the second half wore on, Galaxy fought bravely and created a few scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalise. Galaxy’s defenders were able to launch a few attacks from deep, which Stellenbosch battled to contain.