Second Half Surge Saves Stars

Three goals in a matter of five minutes in the second half saw Free State Stars beat Moroka Swallows 3-0 and secure their Absa Premiership lives for the 2014/15 campaign.

The Ea Lla Koto came into the match knowing they needed all three points to avoid finishing in the relegation/promotion play-off spot, and at the same time was hoping that SuperSport United would do them a favour against Polokwane City.

Stars did their share of the business with a brace from Adam Abdul-Basit and a goal from Ruben Thebekang handing them all three points, and they were obliged by SuperSport United who beat Polokwane 4-2.

The combined results saw Stars finish 14^th on the table with 29 points, one ahead of Polokwane who head into the relegation/promotion play-off matches.

The first half produced plenty of shots on goal, but neither team was able to breach the deadlock due to some poor finish.

The start of the second half saw Stars throwing men forward in search of a goal and the came close in two minutes after the restart when Katlego Mashego saw an effort on goal from just inside the box superbly saved by Greg Etafia.

Etafia had to be at his best again in the 57^th minute when he turned a powerful shot from Danny Venter around the post with a fingertip save.

Seven minutes later Henyekane beat a couple of defenders before shooting on goal from just outside the box, but he saw his effort shave the wrong side of the upright.

Then in a matter of five minutes Free State saved their Absa Premiership lives with three goals.

First, in the 72^nd minute Adam Abdul-Basit turned home a Venter pass to give the Ea Lla Koto the lead, 1-0.

He then grabbed his brace and doubled his side’s lead a minute later, this time expertly scoring from a Henyekane assist.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 77^th minute when Ruben Thebekang pounced on a loose ball after Etafia had initially spilt a Venter shot and he made no mistake from close range, 3-0.

Moroka Swallow (0) 0

Free State Stars (0) 3 (Abdul-Basit 72’ + 73’, Thebakang 77’)

Teams

Swallows: Greg Etafia, Rudi Issacs, Luvhengo Mungomeni, Levy Mokgothu, Ashraf Hendricks, Giorgi Nergadze, Lefa Tsutsulupa, Tshwarelo Bereng (Lerato Chabangu 60’), Edward Manqele, Siyabonga Nomvethe (Darren Lurie 80’), Felix Obada (Dikgang Mabalane 69’)

Free State: Ayanda Mtshali, Ruben Thebekang, Daniel Cardosa, Sibusiso Mthethwa (Kefuwe Sijoko 65’), Moeketsi Sekola, Katlego Mashego, Paulus Masehe, Thabo Moloi (Danny Venter 46’), Richard Henyekane, Muhammed Patel (Adam Abdul-Basit 46’), Themba Shabalala

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