Cape Town Spurs gave their survival hopes a lift with a 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
Bottom-side Spurs are three points behind Richards Bay, who occupy the relegation playoff spot. The Cape side are still seven point adrift of Swallows in 14th, however, but this will be a much-needed jab of confidence in the arm for Ernst Middendorp’s men.
Middendorp made three changes to his side from the Nedbank Cup defeat to University of Pretoria with Ashley Cupido, Rushwin Dortley and Gabriel Michael coming back into the starting eleven. Meanwhile, Galaxy were unchanged from their Nedbank Cup victory over Golden Arrows.
Cupido’s recall was an inspired decision as the youngster came up with the opening goal after 13 minutes with a clinical strike into the bottom corner after swivelling in the box.
The opener forced Galaxy to come out of their shells and that opened the game up with Katlego Maphathe doubling the lead on the half-hour mark with an effort that nestled in the top corner.
Ten minutes before half-time Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic showed his cards by introducing Samir Nurkovic and Mlungisi Mbunjana for Lindokuhle Mbatha and Thato Khiba.
Nurkovic had a decent penalty shout waved away on the hour mark but besides that the Rockets offered little threat in the final third and Spurs closed out the victory quite comfortably in the end.