A third of the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League season has been completed after Week 10 was played this past weekend.
Twenty five (25) goals were scored in eight games with all the fixtures producing winners.
And there were a lot of movements on the log standings as teams swopped positions.
The top two spots, however, remained unchanged as leaders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and second-placed University of the Western Cape (UWC) notched up victories to keep their places.
JVW vs Sundowns Ladies:
This was a very great spectacle to watch, where a saved penalty, an own goal and a last-gasp winner were the highlights of a very tense and hard-fought battle.
The fans at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto were thoroughly entertained by the two sides who had a go at each other from the first whistle.
Amanda Mthandi put the Blue Diamonds ahead in the 32nd minute, which was cancelled by Boitumelo Rabale five minutes later.
On the other side of the half, the latter pounced again to give the Brazilians a 2-1 lead. The hosts failed to convert a penalty through defender Nomathemba Ntsibande (after Robyn Moodaly was brought down) – which could have restored parity. An own goal in the 85th minute by Tiisetso Makhubela made it 2-2, and it seemed to have come to the home side’s rescue – but Melinda Kgadiete had other ideas.
She came off the bench to clinch a 3-2 win for Sundowns Ladies in referee’s optional time as Banyana ba Style kept their lead at the top of the table on 25 points, one more than UWC, who have a game in hand.
After five meetings, JVW is yet to defeat the Brazilians – with only one match drawn.
UWC vs Tuks Ladies:
After losing their first match of the season last weekend, the Capetonians bounced back with a 3-0 win over newcomers University of Pretoria at Parow Park in Cape Town – and in the process claimed bragging rights in the Varsity Derby. The clash saw former UWC and Sundowns Ladies midfielder Thalea Smidt make her debut for the visitors, but was unable to help them to victory.
The hosts won through goals from Sibulele Holweni (2’), Molatelo Kobo (10’) and substitute Nondumiso Manengela (82’), who came in for Kobo.
Durban Ladies vs Royal AM:
At the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Royal AM had to come from behind to beat hosts Durban Ladies 2-1 in the KwaZulu Natal Derby, further continuing the dominance over their neighbours.
They have now met seven times since the inception of South Africa’s elite women’s league – with Royal AM winning three and Durban Ladies just one, while the other three were drawn.
Ma-Indies Ladies vs City Lads Ladies:
Ma-Indies claimed their second victory of the season and moved from the bottom-of-the-table as they defeated the visiting City Lads Ladies 3-0 at the Giyani Stadium.
Thembi Munyuku (29’), substitute Vutivi Sithole (84’) and Hilda Xaba (90+3’) found the back of the net to help the Limpopo outfit to a win that saw them move one notch up to 15th spot.
First Touch Academy vs Richmond Ladies:
Ma-Indies Ladies have six points, just one ahead of First Touch Academy who dropped from the 13thspot to the basement of the table after losing 3-0 to the Northern Cape’s Richmond United at the University of Limpopo – Oscar Mpetha Stadium In Polokwane.
This was their fifth victory in succession.
With a game in hand, the win saw the visitors rise to third spot on the table on 21 points, three adrift of second-placed UWC.
First Touch has won only one match out of 10, with two draws and seven defeats.
Coal City Wizards vs TUT:
Also winning their fixture was the struggling Coal City Wizards, beating the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 2-1 at the Puma Stadium in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
The home side, who have a new coach, moved one spot up from 15th to 14th as they grabbed their second win of the 2023 campaign.
TUT has now suffered four losses in a row.
Copperbelt Ladies vs Thunderbirds Ladies:
Eastern Cape’s Thunderbirds Ladies climbed two spots up from 14th to 12th after beating newcomers Copperbelt Ladies at the University of Limpopo – Oscar Mpetha Stadium in Polokwane.
This was their second win of the season, while the Limpopo side lost for the sixth time in 2023 but are tenth after four wins.
TS Galaxy Queens vs UJ Ladies:
Busisiwe Ndimeni (32’) and Nomvula Kgoale (59’) scored on either side of the half as new kids on the block TS Galaxy Queens grabbed a 2-1 win over the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
Adrielle Mibe (34’) replied for the visitors but it was not enough to help them escape their second loss in a row.
The Rockets last tasted defeat on the opening day of the season (4 February 2023) – and have won four in a row which takes them to fourth on the table, level on 21 points with third-placed Richmond United.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 10 RESULTS:
Saturday, 22 April 2023:
Durban Ladies 1 – 2 Royal AM
Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
JVW 2 – 3 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
UJ Soccer Stadium
University of the Western Cape 3 – 0 University of Pretoria
Parrow Park
Ma-Indies Ladies 3 – 0 City Lads Ladies
Giyani Stadium
Coal City Wizards 2 – 1 Tshwane University of Technology
Puma Stadium
Sunday, 23 April 2023:
Copperbelt Ladies FC 0 – 1 Thunderbirds Ladies
Oscar Mpetha Stadium – University of Limpopo
First Touch Academy 0 – 3 Richmond United
Oscar Mpetha Stadium – University of Limpopo
TS Galaxy Queens 2 – 1 University of Johannesburg FC
Solomon Mahlangu Stadium
With most teams having played 10 games, only four still have to complete their share and will play catch up fixtures on Thursday (27 April 2023).
JVW will travel to Merino Park in De Aar for a date with Richmond United for an 11h30 kick-off, while UWC welcomes City Lads Ladies at 13h00 Parrow Park in Cape Town.
These matches could also change the look of the log standings as a win for the Capetonians will take them to the top of the table, while JVW could climb to the fifth spot from seventh.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE CATCH-UP GAMES:
THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 2023
Richmond United vs JVW
Merino Park, De Aar
Northern Cape
11h30
UWC vs City Lads Ladies
Parrow Park
Cape Town
13h00
By Matlhomola Morake
