Richards Bay Football Club (FC) came away with the three points after a 2-1 win against Stellenbosch FC at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on 3 September.
“Conceding set-pieces is not the type of goals we want to be conceding too regularly. This is an area we need to improve on,” said Steven Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch Football Club (FC), following their recent loss against Richards Bay FC. PHOTO: Liam Abercrombie
The three points ensure that Richards Bay FC move up to fifth on the DSTv Premiership table, with Stellenbosch FC down in 12th place, after six matches played this season.
Both sides went to half time with one goal each, after Stellenbosch FC winger Devin Titus scored for his team, with Richards Bay FC winger Sanele Barns equaling the score.
The opening goal of the game for Richards Bay Football Club (FC) scored by Sanele Barns, after a cross from Somila Ntsundwana in the match against Stellenbosch FC on 3 September. VIDEO: Liam Abercrombie
The winning goal came from Richards Bay FC centre back Ntsikelelo Nyauza, which secured the away side with three more points on the log.
“I feel so good that I scored my first goal of the season for my new team,” said Barns. “I believe that my team can finish in the top eight this season as first campaigners in the league.”
The winning goal came from a Richards Bay Football Club (FC) corner in the second half, with the goal scored by Ntsikelelo Nyauza, centre back for Richards Bay FC. VIDEO: Liam Abercrombie
Important win for Richards Bay FC
“I think, defensively, we were very organised. Two shots on-target and one is a goal [for Stellenbosch FC],” stated Vasili Manousakis, co-coach of Richards Bay FC. “Stellenbosch doesn’t give much away. It was a tight game, but we did enough to get over the line today,” Manousakis added.
“There’s no other way to put it, but we grinded out a result today. The energy was good, the structure was good […] and we managed to take the three points,” stated Vasili Manousakis, co-coach of Richards Bay Football Club (FC), following their recent match against Stellenbosch FC. PHOTO: Liam Abercrombie
Richards Bay FC caused a lot of problems for Stellenbosch FC by attacking their full backs as well as constantly attacking the far-post with crosses, said Manousakis.
A tough day at the office
“[We are] obviously disappointed in the result. We controlled the majority of the match,” said Steven Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch FC.
The home team tried to play “the right way, by moving the ball and creating lots of opportunities”, Barker said.
“In order for us to be successful, we have to turn around results like this,” said Steven Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch Football Club (FC), following a recent match against Richard’s Bay FC. VIDEO: Liam Abercrombie
“It’s just not happening for us right now. We hit the crossbar again from a set piece,” stated Barker. “It’s not for lack of effort or lack of trying or creating opportunities. It’s just having to ride out these unfortunate results that we’re getting.”
In South African football, a team can have the lead and all the possession in the game, but without having composure, creativity and quality in the final third, it can be difficult to come away with a good result, said Barker.