Stellies return to winning ways

Stellenbosch FC finally returned to winning ways as they put up a disciplined display to beat Swallows FC 2-1 in a DSTV Premiership game played at the Wits stadium yesterday.

This was only Stellies™ second win this season, having last won a game against Royal AM in their third game of the season. Goals from Sinethemba Mngomezulu and Junior Mendieta were enough to see them returning with three points from Gauteng.

Head coach Steve Barker says this was mission accomplished for his side.

œI thought it was a really good performance, especially the first half, the way we controlled the game, the way we created opportunities, got the ball into the box and box entries were high and [I am] really pleased by the way we controlled that first half. It™s just unfortunate that we once again let ourselves down by conceding with the set-piece, so going in a halftime 1-1 was disappointing in terms of the score-line but happy with the performance, said Barker.

œIt was important for us to come in the second half, continue what we done in the first half which I felt we did, which led to our second goal and then it™s just a question of now finding ways when we are top of teams and dominating like we were, you know we killed the game because at 2-1 not getting the third obviously open the door for perhaps they get something back into the game where they feel like they deserve it, however great commitment from all the players. It wasn™t easy but I felt that they really applied themselves very well and they can be proud of that.

Swallows' equalizer came through Vusi Sibiya™s own goal, who was also making his debut for the Western Cape side. This was the Birds™ second loss at home this season and third overall, head coach Dylan Kerr who was sitting on the bench only for the second time this season says it is unacceptable to lose at home in this fashion.

œI thought we were better in the second half. We didn™t allow them to play like they did in the first half but we didn™t penetrate, we didn™t real hurt them as I wanted. Sometimes you got to assess the situation which I did, I didn™t think we were causing many problems in the first half, in fact were more negative, we were home this should be 45 points, we should never lose at home, Kerr told the media.

By Velile Mnyandu