Stars claw way back for draw

PORT Elizabeth's Morning Stars played to a 2-2 draw against Tembu Royals in a Safa Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe league clash at the Zwide Stadium at the weekend.

The Kwazakhele-based team came back strongly in the second half and scored two goals after the visiting team went ahead 2-0.

Royals scored the opening goal on Friday in the first half to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

The Mthatha outfit doubled their lead in the second half but Stars were determined not to go down without a fight and Simthembile Befile scored twice to ensure a share of the points.

Stars struggled in the first half and they lost much possession as Royals kept them under pressure.

Royals were clearly the better side in the first half and dominated possession.

Stars were denied several scoring opportunities by the visitors' defence.

Both teams intensified their attacking intent in the second half, but Stars lost focus and this allowed Royals to score their second goal.

However, the Stars players kept their heads up and worked hard to create chances, paving the way for Befile to pull one back for the home team, followed soon afterwards by the equaliser.

Royals allowed their opponents back into the game and Stars were unlucky not to score a winner.

Stars manager Siyabulela Isaac was happy with the performance of his players.

"A point is better than nothing and I'm glad we didn't lose at home," Isaac said.

"The boys played very well and we are hoping to continue collecting as many points as possible in all our remaining league games before the short Christmas break."

Highbury, another Port Elizabeth team, continued their winning streak when they defeated struggling neighbours Jeffreys Bay Milan 1-0 at the Tokyo Sexwale Stadium on Saturday.

Andries Mosehle scored the only goal to ensure maximum points for Highbury, the team's third victory in five league matches.

Coach Garth Dickinson said the match was played in a good spirit, but he was not too happy with the officiating.

"I'm happy with the three points, but Milan gave us a tough time to get those points," he said.

"The referee issued six of our players with yellow cards, which was unfair because his decisions were dubious."

The Second Division game between Motherwell's Real City and Tornado, which was due to be played at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdatsane, East London, was called off due to load-shedding. - Mthetho Ndoni