| Bester fires United to victory over Chiefs
Maritzburg United put on a fantastic display of football in beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Maritzburg were simply superb in the first half, creating excellent goal-scoring chances on a regular basis against what looked like a shell-shocked home side.
After just seven minutes a neat back-heel from Norman Smith released Rudolf Bester, whose cross located Fadlu Davids, but his side-footed effort went marginally wide.
United were finding space and chances at will and in the 23rd minute Bester cut in from the left and sent a shot across goal and just wide of the mark.
Four minutes later Noah Chivuta dragged a low 25-yard effort marginally wide, and soon after Felix Obada put in a dangerous cross which just failed to pick out Bester.
In the 30th minute Obada looked set to open the scoring when his floated cross towards he back post appeared to have deceived Arthur Bartmann, but the Chiefs keeper did very well to make a late reflex save.
It had been pretty much one-way traffic and the Team of Choice were given their reward in the 34th minute when Bester scored a sensational goal, beating a couple of men down the left flank before firing a 25-yard right-footed screamer into the top right hand corner of the net.
There was little change in the second half as Maritzburg continued to enjoy far better chances on goal, and could well have increased their winning margin.
A minute after the restart Bester found himself through on goal, but with only Bartmann to beat, he lifted the ball over goal.
Twenty minutes later Obada whipped in a lovely cross, picking out Brice Aka, whose first time shot was slightly off target.
United keeper Brendon Wardle then made a brilliant save to secure the win as he pushed Nkosinathi Nhleko’s goal-bound shot around the post.
With six minutes to play Bester wasted a chance to add a second when he missed from close range, but with Maritzburg doing well to soak up the pressure in the closing minutes, it was immaterial as they held on for a very well deserved three points.
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