It’s too close to let it go - Pupuma

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit secured all three points in stoppage time when Khanyisani Radebe reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area before firing a volley into the far corner in the 95th minute. 

The result handed Milford a second consecutive win and strengthened their position in the race for a place in next season’s Betway Premiership.

Pupuma says it was important for his team to build on the victory they achieved against Cape Town City in the opening fixture and continue collecting points in what remains a tightly contested mini-league.

"We needed a positive result, especially after Cape Town. It was a very difficult game against a very organised team defensively, and they do what they do. We tried to break them. For us to manage that, and with football being such an emotional game, that has caused the scenes that are outside," said Papuma.

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"So we are grateful for the three points. But tomorrow we go back to the drawing board, and we will try to work out how we will deal with Cape Town City, which is also quite a strong team, and they are going to come here and get three points."

Milford now hold a three-point advantage at the top of the playoff standings and another victory this weekend against City would significantly boost their chances of securing promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s history.

Pupuma says the progress made by the club over the last two seasons has raised expectations within the squad, and with promotion now a realistic possibility, the players will be determined to finish the job.

Pupuma has also praised the support shown by the local community after a strong turnout at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex for Wednesday’s match.

The Milford chairman says the atmosphere created by supporters played an important role in helping the team secure a crucial victory and hopes an even bigger crowd will be in attendance for Saturday’s showdown against Cape Town City.

Attention now shifts to The Stallion’s next playoff assignment when they welcome Cape Town City to the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The encounter will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with Milford already having claimed a narrow victory over City in the opening playoff fixture. 

While Pupuma believes his side understands the challenge they will face, he admits City showed a different tactical approach during their recent 2-0 defeat away to Magesi FC.