Stars down neighbours Celtic 2-1

Bloem Celtic suffered a 2-1 drubbing at the hands of their FS Stars neighbours at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.

Bloemfontein Celtic were defeated 2-1 by neighbours Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership fixture played at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The opening stages were characterised by some tight football, with both teams not prepared to give anything away. Derby games are all about bragging rights and it was clear that neither of these Free State clubs wanted to come off second best.

Stars created the first chance, when Danny Venter struck a long range effort wide. At the other end, the run of Celtic’s Dumisani Zuma proved threatening, but Stars skipper Paulus Masehe rescued his team with a timely interception.

A fine finish from Sello Japhta then gave Stars the lead, but it was an advantage that didn’t last too long. In the 37th minute, Celtic were awarded a penalty when Burundian striker Fiston Abduol Razak was fouled by Stars defender Bokang Thlone. It was the very same Razak who dusted himself off and converted the penalty to level the scores at 1-1.

Stars, however, continued to exert pressure on the Celtic defence and it was again that man, Japhta, who proved to be difference. The striker popped up to put his team into the lead when, after a fantastic solo effort, he finished sweetly to make the score 2-1.

Both teams then made changes, with Moeketsi Sekola coming on to replace Japhta, while Celtic brought on Lyle Lakay in place of Thabang Matuka.

Lakay had a great opportunity to equalise for Celtic, but was denied by a magnificent save from Stars goalkeeper Johnny Mathole. A few minutes later, Mathole came to his team’s rescue again when he saved from a Lakay free-kick.

Celtic finished the stronger, but Stars defended stoutly to hang on and take the three points.

– African News Agency