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Cape Town - Highlands Park played Bloemfontein Celtic off the field as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win at the Makhulong Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday.
Highlands Park finished the match with far more attempts than Celtic, outshooting them 17 to five by the end of the match.
However, accuracy let both teams down as the Lions of the North hit the target just four times while Siwelele didn't trouble Marlon Heugh once all day.
The home side started well and Musa Nyatama had an early chance but blew his shot well wide of the target. Peter Shalulile got much closer three minutes later, but also wasn't able to direct his shot on the correct side of the post.
Mlungisi Mbunjana was next to have a go as Highlands Park piled on the early pressure, but he too was unable to hit the target from long range.
When the goal came, it was no surprise to anyone watching and well deserved for the home side.
Highlands Park launched a counter-attack from a Celtic corner and caught them napping as they raced down the field with some slick passing before Shalulile slotted a low left-foot strike to give them the lead in the 20th minute.
The visitors' first attempt of the match came around the half-hour mark as Given Mashikinya sent a thumping strike wide of the right post.
Unfortunately, that was one of their few highlights in the first half and indeed the game.
It was more of the same after the break as Highlands Park looked to secure the win with a second goal.
Their fans did not have to wait long, just 14 minutes in fact, for Shalulile to once again come to his side's aid.
Once again the goal came from a quick counter, except this time they turned possession over from a wayward cross rather than a corner. Lindokuhle Mbatha sent Shalulile through with a defence-splitting ball and the striker made no mistake to make it 2-0.
The second goal knocked the stuffing out of Celtic and they looked completely deflated as a team afterwards.
They barely registered another shot at goal the entire game as Highlands Park took their foot off the gas to protect their lead and cruised to a comfortable win.
- TeamTalk Media
Channel 202
