DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Thursday, January 18, 2001 - Web posted at 9:41:59 AM GMT

Bucs move to the top

JOHANNESBURG - Orlando Pirates can think themselves fortunate to have beaten Moroka Swallows 1-0 in a hard fought Castle Premiership derby played on Tuesday at the FNB stadium.

The half-time score was 0-0.

Pirates substitute Lesley Manyathela's last gasp header from Brandon Silent's corner silenced the Birds fans in the 8 000 crowd and sunk them deeper into the relegation quagmire.

It took a 90th minute goal to down the struggling Birds who had looked well on their way to going home with at least a point from their gallant effort.

Bucs now move to the top of the standings for the first time this season.

They overtake Santos on a superior goal difference.

Both clubs have 36 points while Pirates have four matches in hand and are now well on track for the championship.

But they did not have matters all their own way against a Swallows side that belied their lowly league position.

The Birds more than held their own in the first half where a feature of the game was the stout defending by Birds which frustrated Pirates and forced the home side to shoot from long range.

The match came to life after the break.

A dreadful mistake by Bucs defender Papi Khomane almost gave Birds the opening in the 65th minute.

Khomane in no mans land played a poor back pass to his 'keeper William Okpara.

The ball was intercepted by debutant Birds striker Kenny Niemach who laid it to Jokhonia Cibi but the midfielder's snap shot missed by a whisker.

Then Niemach who impressed since joining Swallows from Sundowns Monday hit the upright with a thunderous shot in the 72nd minute.

But Swallows captain Johannes Mine almost gifted Bucs a goal when in trying to clear Manyathela's cross headed the ball against his crossbar with 'keeper Wendell Robinson taken by surprise.

But just when Swallows looked set for a deserved point Manyathela pounced with a stunning header from Silent's corner in the last minute to give Bucs the precious three points.

- Nampa-Sapa

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