TS Galaxy bounced back from their big Nedbank Cup loss last weekend with a 4-0 thrashing of Richards Bay FC on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 4-0 Richards Bay
Date: 19 March 2023
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Galaxy made three changes to the side that was walloped by Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup, as they were boosted by the return of Djakaridja Traore and recalls for Marks Munyai and Bathusi Aubaas.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, were without regular goalkeeper Salim Magoola due to injury and his place was filled by Neil Boshoff while Luvuyo Memela was recalled.
Neither side took the game by the scruff of the net in the opening exchanges but Somila Ntsundwana nearly gave the visitors the lead on 19 minutes with a half-volley that was parried away by goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak at full stretch.
The Rockets had a wake-up call, as Sphiwe Mahlangu broke the deadlock with their first promising attack on 24 minutes with a low curler that from the edge of the box that deceived Boshoff into the far post.
Sead Ramovic's troops had their confidence up and Mongae quickly doubled their lead two minutes later with a well placed shot into the top corner after going through in the box.
The Natal Rich Boyz were still shell shocked in the latter period of the first stanza, as they could not trouble Galaxy going forward and needed to improve in the last third going into the half-time break.
However, it was the Rockets who showed more determination to kill the game as early as possible in the first stanza as Traore made it 3-0 nine minutes in with a low finish at the back post after he set himself clear on goal from point-blank range.
Richards Bay reacted by making an attacking change just before the hour-mark as Ovella Ochieng took the place of Memela and still not finding chances and with 12 minutes to go, Yamela Mbuthuma replaced Katlego Makateng for fresh legs in a straight swap up top.
Galaxy were threatening to run riot in the dying minutes and Mongae eventually got the fourth goal for the home side with a low drive after going clear on goal.
The Rockets moved up to seventh on the table while, a point adrift of sixth-placed Richards Bay.
TS Galaxy: 32. Kolak, 23. Munyai, 5. Msimango, 3. Sanoka, 11. Nyama, 15. Aubaas, 17. Parker, 7. Mongae, 27. S.Mahlangu, 9. Traore, 49. Sebelebele
Subs: 1. Van der Linde, 30. Mere, 6. Seedat, 28. Phohlongo, 10. Hlongwane, 20. Mlambo, 4. M.Mahlangu, 37. Medina Rodriguez, 14. Radebe
Richards Bay: 43. Boshoff, 2. Maphathe, 35. Mabua, 5. Mthethwa, 34. Nyauza, 14. Majadibodu, 45. Ntsundwana, 6. Mabaso, 5. Mbuthuma, 10. Memela, 10. Msani
Subs: 44. Manqele, 3. Shabalala, 38. Dlamini, 17. Mthethwa, 8. Mdabuka, 8. Ochieng, 27. Makateng, 21. Mhlongo, 15. Hlongwa
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