Cape Town City needed to use every ounce of its (academy) experience and prestige to overcome a spirited Crystal Palace by 2-1 during a Hollywoodbets Third Division clash at the Greens on Friday afternoon.
City’s coach Byron Cottle admitted that Palace gave them quite a scare and that they needed a bit of luck to keep their unbeaten record intact with a typical smash and grab victory – extending their lead at the summit. Spurs now have 20 points from eight matches.
“Look, I knew it was going to be a tough game here today and a game of two halves especially with the windy conditions,” Cottle conceded. “So, we had to prepare accordingly. I knew this Palace team was not going to stop at anything and yeah we were a bit lucky to come away with the three points.”
The visitors had to come from behind after Dillon Lacky gave Palace the lead with a venomous left-footed drive which had City’s keeper Jubulile Mooketsi grasping at fresh air just after halftime.
Credit to City as they stuck to their guns and philosophy of playing the ball out from the back. Their no panic and calm approach paid off when Kieyaam Carelse levelled matters halfway through the second half.
Palace, who had the wind behind their backs in the second half, ran out of steam but this was also largely due to City gaining the ascendancy as they pushed for a winner.
The young Citizens’ enterprise eventually paid off albeit via another costly mistake from Palace’s goalie Edwill Jantjies who conceded a penalty late in the match.
Somali Feni made no mistake from the spot to hand City all three points and leaving Palace to lick their wounds and wondering how could have let this one slip.
Palace’s coach Bradley August said the two mistakes they made proved to be costly in the end.
“Overall, I am satisfied with his team’s performance,” said August. “Our shape, our pressing and our pressing was very good against a team like Cape Town City. I am very proud of the boys,” August concluded.
Meanwhile Vasco da Gama moved up to second spot following their comfortable 3-1 win over the struggling Greenwood Athletic at Solo Street in Retreat.
Palace dropped down two positions to fourth after Saxon Rovers, who walloped the relegation threatened Ocean View 5-1 in their own backyard.
Other results are as follows:
JLZwane 1, Trinitarians 1
FC Hout Bay 3, Woodlands United 0
Goal 50 United 1, Wanderers 1
Matroosfontein 1, Seaside Spurs 1
Premier United 2, Camps Bay 0
