The visitors were back on the road after enjoying league success at home over the past week. They arrived in Mbombela looking to consolidate their spot atop the standings having won all five of their opening fixtures.

They first had to withstand an assertive start from the home side who pushed forward through Samukelo Kabini, who was denied by Thabiso Monyane out wide seconds after the first whistle. Galaxy’s first shot at goal was an eighth-minute effort from the experienced Mpho Mvelase, who went wide from range.

Pirates had some enterprising moments of their own in opposition territory, but were unable to trouble goalkeeper Ira Tapé throughout the first 10 minutes. The Ivorian shot-stopper however knew very little about the first shot he had to deal with as the visitors edged ahead in the 16th minute.

The breakthrough came through midfielder Thalente Mbatha who produced a spectacular
effort from range to make it 1-0. Spurred on by the opener, Pirates launched a few more efforts from a long way out. Mohau Nkota and Deon Hotto each went wide with their attempts while Kabini also misfired with his effort at the other end just before the half-hour mark.

Mbatha had an opportunity to complete his brace late in the first half but his volley from just outside the box brought out the best in Tapé this time around, with the shot-stopper pulling off an excellent save to keep the visitors to a slim lead heading into the break.

Just as they did in the first half, the home side found themselves with a lot of defending to do
in the second period. It could have been 2-0 eight minutes after the restart as Nkota surged into the penalty area before firing at goal, only to be denied by Tapé.

Chaine meanwhile was tasked with more routine stops as the Bucs defence held firm to protect the lead. It took another moment of magic for Pirates to pull away from the opposition. That came through Relebohile Mofokeng who did well to turn possession over deep inside the Rockets half before finding the top corner with a superb effort that evaded the keeper.

Now two goals to the good, the Soweto Giants had to contend with a spirited finish from the
home side who were looking to pull one back. There was however not much to excite the
home crowd as the visitors remained in control.

Galaxy were further hamstrung late in the contest as Kamogelo Sebelebele received a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Nkosinathi Sibisi. That summed up a frustrating evening for the hosts and the opposite for Pirates, who stretched their lead at the top of the standings to six points.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Monyane (Mako 64’), Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula, Dlamini
(Gilberto 67’), Nkota (Rasebotja 88’), Mofokeng, Makgopa (Mabasa 67’)

It was the young Buccaneers’ first defeat of the new season, coming right after two successive wins that took their points tally after four matches to eight. They faced a stiff challenge against a Galaxy outfit that went in search of their first win after playing to three consecutive draws in their previous fixtures.

The home side started strong, dominating possession within the opening minutes and creating pressure on the Pirates’ defence. A crucial moment came in the eighth minute when debutant goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu nearly conceded following a misplaced ball, but managed to recover under pressure. Bucs defender Jabulani Mokone narrowly escaped a booking in the 14th minute following a foul just outside the penalty box.

However, just three minutes later, another defensive error led to Zulu committing a foul inside the box with Galaxy duly taking the lead after converting from the penalty spot. Cemran Dansin had an opportunity to draw level moments later, but misfired with his effort.

The pressure was however concentrated at the other end where the home side sought to extend their lead. It took until the 30th minute for them to double their advantage after breaking the offside
trap, forcing Mokone into an own goal from a low cross.

Heading into the break with undesired daylight between themselves and their opponents, the Buccaneers made a tactical change before the restart as they brought Gosiame Ngobeni on to bolster the attack. It was however Spamandla Msezane who had the first opportunity in the second half, which he could not convert following a pass from Cemran Dansin.

The Bucs forward had another chance from a free kick after he was fouled just outside the box, but his effort missed the target. Meanwhile, Galaxy continued to press, testing the Pirates’ defence with quick breaks, but Zulu was quick off his line to make a critical save to deny a third goal.

What turned out to be the Pirates’ final chance in the contest came when a pinpoint cross found Ngobeni inside the box, with his shot drifting wide. The team from Mpumalanga was also awarded a set piece of their own in the latter stages, but Zulu’s reflexes kept the scoreline at 2-0.

Despite Pirates’ efforts to fight back, the home side had the final say as they netted their third of the afternoon deep in injury time. This underlined a miserable outing for the Bucs Reserves as the final whistle sounded soon after, confirming a heavy defeat on the road.

Pirates Reserves XI: Zulu, Selepe, Ralenkoane, Mokone, Sibiya (Madalane 90’), Molepo (Ngwenya 72’), Dansin (Masilela 72’), Mohlala, Green, Magadla (Ngobeni 46’), Msezane.

Form Guide
The search for a first win in the new season continues for Galaxy, who are coming off another disappointing draw after hosting Lamontville Golden Arrows last Saturday. This was their third stalemate in as many games since kicking off their campaign, where they have managed a one-all scoreline in each encounter.

Their three points place them in the bottom half of the table in 10th place, tied on points with Polokwane City. A win on Saturday could propel them to the top eight as they look to improve on last season’s 12th-place finish. A daunting task however awaits the team from Mpumalanga with their opponents fresh off
back-to-back victories.

Pirates overcame a slow start to their campaign to record wins against Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United in their two most recent outings. Their recent turn of form has brought them up to third place in the standings, just two points behind the table-topping Cape Town City. Victory against Galaxy could see them finish the weekend on the summit, providing a vital confidence boost early on in what is still a long
season ahead.

Head-to-Head
It will be the first meeting between the two sides since playing to a rare goalless stalemate during the latter half of the previous season. The draw ended a run of four straight victories for the Buccaneers in this fixture.

During their dominant spell over the team from Mpumalanga, the Soweto Giants found the net eight times while only conceding a solitary goal. The young Rockets will head into Saturday’s fixture in search of their first win since claiming an upset win at Rand Stadium over two seasons ago when they struck in each half to complete an upset away from home.

How to Follow Orlando Pirates Reserves vs TS Galaxy Reserves
Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 and the game will not be televised. You can stay in touch with the action by following live updates shared across Orlando Pirates social media channels.