LEOPARD CLAW THEIR WAY TO THE TOP

MANZINI – Title chasing Royal Leopard yesterday again clawed their way back to the top of the MTN Premier League log standings after a hard fought 3-2 win over Manzini Sea Birds.

Prolific striker, Barry Steenkamp steered the police ensemble to their ninth win of the season with a well taken brace that took them to the summit of the standings, displacing defending champions and overnight leaders Mbabane Swallows.
Leopard had to see off a spirited second half showing by Sea Birds, who just almost forced a share of the spoils, threatening to overcome what had appeared to be an insurmountable 0-3 deficit. Going into halftime enjoying a comfortable 2-0 lead courtesy of strikes by Steenkamp and the hard running Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini, Leopard stretched their lead to three a minute after the break through Steenkamp again to take the driving seat.

However, Sea Birds were clearly not ready to surrender and they kept pushing and stretching the Leopard defence, which looked shaky. Sea Birds were rewarded when second half substitute striker Bonginkhosi Dlamini reduced the deficit with a well taken strike from close range after he was given acres of space by the Leopard’s defence.

Exactly 10 minutes later, Stanford Ncube, who had also been introduced at the beginning of the last half scored the goal of the day. It was a scorcher, a bazooka, a missile really that left the otherwise impressive Mphikeleli Dlamini between the goal posts bemused. The goal seemed to wake up Leopard from their slumber and they defended resolutely to hold on to their lead as they thwarted everything thrown at them.
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Fair game)

Crowd: More or less 300 soccer fans, but increasing with the arrival of Pirates fans for their game, which was scheduled for later on
Man of the Match: Barry Steenkamp – He scored a wonderful brace displaying his predatory instincts in front of goal, this experienced marksman to win it for the log leaders. He was a constant menace, although he seemed to fade towards the end of the game.

Also spare a thought for Stanford Ncube, the Sea Birds attacking midfielder, whose introduction at the start of the last half completely changed the flow of the game. He crowned his masterly display with a well taken goal.
Save of the day: It has to be the Royal Leopard goalkeeper Mphikeleli Dlamini’s brave save from the boot of Sea Birds’ Banele Mdluli in the first half of the clash.
Shot of the day: Manzini Sea Birds’ Stanford Ncube, scored with a rocket from about 25 yards when he let fly a stinger unexpectedly which rocked the roof of the net.

Goal of the day: Take a bow for Stanford Ncube’s wondrous strike, which was his team’s second goal. Taken from the top drawer, the Zimbabwean born midfielder scored with a stunning if not plain unbelievable strike. Mphikeleli between the Leopard’s goal posts could not be blamed for surely goalkeepers to save those kind of bazookas are yet to be born.

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