Thanda Royal Zulu collected three precious points when they overcame Bay United 1-0 in a lacklustre Absa Premiership match played at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Sunday.

The win for the home side eased their relegation worries and kept the Port Elizabeth team rooted at the bottom of the log It was clear to see why both these teams find themselves languishing in the bottom end of the table. The play for much of the match was uninspiring with mistimed passes an outstanding feature of this game.

However, both clubs will claim that the slippery underfoot conditions was a debilitating factor.

Thanda keeper Aubrey Mathibe was called into action as early as the seventh minute when he was forced to tip striker Bulelani Matross' stinging shot over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, Thanda hitman Nkosinathi Nhleko hit the visitor's upright with a long range shot but the best chance of the first half fell to United's Ngalo Zamuxolo. He should have put the visitors in the lead in the 18th minute when he intercepted Musa Nyatama's stray pass but instead he shot straight into the arms of Mathibe.

The hosts opened the scoring on the stroke of half time when Thabiso Rammile sent in a long throw that was flicked on by Phil Evans. The ball landed at the feet of winger Bongani Mbele who made no mistake from inside the 18-yard area.

United increased their efforts in the second half as they looked to salvage something from this match, but it was not to be as Thanda's defence was tactful and tenacious.

United's Khayaletu Ngangqu thought he found the back of the net with a powerful header in the 83rd minute but Mathibe denied him what was a definite goal.

Thanda could have increased their tally of goals in the closing minutes but veteran goalieArthur Bartman kept out consecutive attempts from Bongani Mbele and Nhleko.

Sapa

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