The leading five teams in the Hollywoodbets Super League experienced varying results as the second round gets into full swing.
Newcomers TS Galaxy Queens suffered their second defeat of the season as they fell to new kids on the block, University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies), who had to come from behind on Sunday (11 June 2023).
TS Galaxy Queens 1-2 Tuks Ladies
Playing at home at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, the Mpumalanga outfit had taken an early lead three minutes into the match through Nomvula Kgoale for a half-time advantage, but second half substitute Thembelihle Masibi restored parity, with Isabella Ludwig netting the winner in the 67thminute. TS Galaxy won the first round 3-1.
After six wins on the trot, Tuks Ladies are sixth on the table with 32 points, 15 behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
This was coach Sizwe Sibiya’s first loss since taking over the reigns 11 matches ago.
JVW 1-1 Richmond United
Despite the loss, TS Galaxy remain third on 37 points, level with JVW who were held to a one-all draw by the visiting Richmond United at the UJ Stadium in Soweto. The two teams have shared equal points from each other this season after the reverse fixture ended in a 2-all draw.
The Northern Cape side hasn’t won a game in six outings – with two draws sandwiched between four defeats, while the Blue Diamonds’ three match unbeaten run was snapped – they are fourth.
But there were wins for the defending champions, Sundown Ladies, University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Royal AM – who all make up the top five.
Ma-Indies Ladies 0-1 Sundown Ladies
The Brazilians registered their ninth win in ten matches as they defeated bottom of the table Ma-Indies Ladies at the Noordelikes Rugby Stadium in Polokwane.
The Limpopo outfit has lost all their six fixtures against Banyana ba Style in the South African elite women’s league (2021: 3-0, 7-0; 2022: 2-1, 6-0: 2023: 2-1, 1-0).
Sundowns Ladies’ goal came through forward Andisiwe Mgcoyi in the 37th minute, leaving them top of the table on 47 points, two ahead of second-placed UWC, who have a game in hand.
City Lads 1-2 UWC
The Capetonians collected maximum points after they beat City Lads Ladies 2-1 at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha.
Goals from Amogelang Motau and Sibulele Holweni were enough to secure victory and stay close to the log leaders.
The Students have a game in hand and are second on 45 points.
First Touch 0-2 Royal AM
KwaZulu Natal’s Royal AM defeated First Touch 2-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Royal AM have become serious title contenders with four wins and one draw in their last five matches, leaving them fifth on the log standings, while the Limpopo side suffered their second loss in a row, and are 11th on the table.
There were two high scores recorded on Saturday when two institutions of learning scored five goals each.
Copperbelt Ladies 0-5 TUT
At the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Copperbelt Ladies’ bad run continued as they were shot down 5-0 by the rejuvenated Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
A brace in the first half by Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (33’, 38’) gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break before Boitumelo Mokoena (51’), Lebogang Mabatle (57’) and Sonto Mnisi (68’) completed the demolition act on Copperbelt, who last won a match on 6 May.
They have lost five and drew just one.
Coal City Wizards 3-5 UJ Ladies
The Puma Stadium in Witbank was the scene of an eight-goal thriller as the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) downed the struggling second-from-bottom Coal City Wizards.
The students claimed a 5-3 victory over the Mpumalanga outfit, as they suffered their seventh loss in succession.
Durban Ladies 3-1 Thunderbirds Ladies
Thunderbirds Ladies’ woes continued when they were defeated 3-1 by Durban Ladies.
The 14th placed Eastern Cape side has managed only one draw in the last seven matches, losing the other six.
The Durbanites are ninth on the table.
NB:
Only three rounds of fixtures of the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League will be played until 1 July 2023 when they go on recess due to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – but the quartet of Sundowns Ladies, UWC, TS Galaxy Queens and JVW have not been scheduled to play, and will only return to action after the global women’s football showpiece (26 August 2023).
#HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE RESULTS:
SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 2023
First Touch 0 2 Royal AM
Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Polokwane
Ma-Indies Ladies 0 – 1 Sundowns Ladies
Noordelikes Rugby Field
Polokwane
JVW 1 – 1 Richmond United
UJ Stadium
Soweto
Copperbelt Ladies 0 – 5 TUT
Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Polokwane
Durban Ladies 3 – 1 Thunderbirds Ladies
Harry Gwala Stadium
Durban
Coal City Wizards 3 – 5 UJ Ladies
Puma Stadium
Witbank
City Lads Ladies 1 – 2 UWC
Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Gqeberha
SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 2023
TS Galaxy Queens 1 – 2 Tuks Ladies
Solomon Mahlangu Stadium
Mpumalanga
By Matlhomola Morake
