TS Galaxy FC suffered their first defeat of the season in the 2021/22 DStv Premiership at the expense of Stellenbosch FC this afternoon at Danie Craven Stadium.
Ashley Du Preez netted the winner for the home side in the 55th minute. He profited from a lovely cross by Stanley Dimgba from the right-hand side.
All he needed was to tap into the empty net. The Rockets suffered a major blow at the start of the match when Pogiso Sanoka was shown the red card.
He denied Judas Moseamedi a clear goalscoring opportunity and was sent off in the 7th minute.
That forced the technical team to drop Bathusi Aubaas from the midfield into defence where he paired with Igor Makitan.
Vasilije Kolak produced a great save at the start of the match to keep out Dimgba. It was a free-kick just outside the box.
Both teams went to the interval deadlocked at 0-0. Immediately after the interval, Nation Ndlovu was introduced in the place of Lindokuhle Mbatha.
Bad defensive organization and the lack of concentration were the major demises for the Rockets as they allowed Stellenbosch to break the deadlock.
Sihle Nduli came close to restoring parity for Galaxy trying his luck from distance but his attempt sailed off target.
The greatest opportunity to snatch the equalizer fell into the path of Masilake Phohlongo who came in as a second-half substitute.
Following a moment of uncertainty at the back, the rebound found Phohlongo well-positioned but the Stellenbosch last line crowded him and blocked his shot.
As a result, the Rockets succumbed to their first defeat of the season. Over this past weekend, they shared the spoils with Kaizer Chiefs in a 0-0 stalemate.
Starting line-up:
Vasilije Kolak, Igor Makitan, Ebrahim Seedat, Luckyboy Mokoena, Ethan Brooks (Mlungisi Mbunjana 81), Sihle Nduli (Tshegofatso Nyama 88), Bathusi Aubaas, Lindokuhle Mbatha (Nation Ndlovu 45), Wayde Lekay, Mohammed Anas (Masilake Phohlongo 81) and Lekay (Mxolisi Macuphu 66).