Swallows FC moved six points clear of the relegation zone after securing a 1-0 victory over high-flying Richards Bay FC at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday evening.
The Natal Rich Boyz had the first chance of the game on 15 minutes through Somila Ntsundwana, who was setup in a good position in the box from a set-piece but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Yamela Mbuthuma also had a golden chance nine minutes later from another set-piece routine, but his header was cushioned over the top following a cross by Siyanda Msani. Swallows tried to get into the game, but could not establish any attacking rhythm in the latter phase of the first stanza.
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Swallows 1-0 Richards Bay
Kagiso Malinga (79′) ⚽️FARPost DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/2Ul77coJcC
— FARPost_ZA (@FARPostZA) February 3, 2023
To jack up their performances in the second stanza, Ernst Middendorp made a quadruple change at the start of the second half.
The changes gave the Birds new energy as Keegan Allan had a chance to break the deadlock on 65 minutes with a header in the box, but it was smothered by goalkeeper Salim Magoola.
Richards Bay then made a double change to get cohesion in midfield with 20 minutes to go, but Swallows continued to have the upper hand going forward. Kagiso Malinga broke the deadlock nine minutes before time by nodding home a cross from Lindokuhle Mtshali for his second league goal of the game.
Waseem Isaacs had a chance to put the result beyond doubt for the Birds, but his shot in the bottom corner was kept out by Magoola. The victory moved Swallows off the relegation zone and six points clear of the drop zone.
