Cymot SKW beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a hard fought Premier League encounter at the SKW field on Friday night.
A goal just before halftime by Elias Lisaku gave SKW the valuable victory which put them level with Ramblers at the top of the log.
The match started at a frantic pace with both sides going all out to win possession. Pirates had an early chance when Donny Isaacks missed a chance from close range, but it was SKW who applied most of the early pressure. They hustled Pirates into mistakes, while Marco van Wyk, Elias Lisaku and Sledge Gowaseb combined well in midfield.
A Lisaku freekick midway though the first half was well saved by Piratesâ?? keeper Athiel Mabaha, while Gideon Muvangua curled a shot just wide of the goals two minutes later.
Pirates striker Patrick Jagger and midfielder Johannes Seibeb both shot over the bar but SKW came back and their pressure finally paid off just before halftime.
Elias Lisaku chased a high ball onto Mbaha, who fumbled under pressure and Lisaku burst through to head it into an empty net.
Pirates had more chances in the second half, forcing several corners early on, but SKWâ??s defence held out.
In the 75th minute George Tsamaseb whipped in a cross that Klaas Blom headed narrowly over the bar and five minutes later there was pandemonium in SKWâ??s box when SKWâ??s defence failed to clear the ball from a Rudi Louw corner. The ball bobbed around dangerously before reaching Johannes Seibeb, whoâ??se piledriver was desperately cleared off the line by a defender.
More chances came Piratesâ?? way with Johannes Seibeb particularly effective with his crosses from the left. Blom once again headed over the bar from one, while another was cleared by the defence.
SKWâ??s defence, with Silver Zemburuka and Bobby Kaapama prominent, however stood firm and they held out for the victory.
The victory sees SKW joining Ramblers at the top of the log on 13 points, while Pirates are sixth on eight points.