All signs read to an Ajax CT victory over Swallows on Saturday night as the first few minutes rolled out at Athlone Stadium. Ajax CT looked comfortable on the ball and showed signs of the exciting team that led most of the first half of the PSL season, ending 2008 on a high with a victory in the Telkom Cup final against Orlando Pirates.

However as the game wore on at Athlone, it got a little rough with a few high and mistimed tackles all over the pitch. With just over thirty minutes into the game tempers flared up as the agression on the field became a bit overwhelming. After a few words from the ref the game carried on, Ajax came close a few times with the highlight of all being an excellent left footed shot from the inspirational skipper Brett Evans from just outside the box. The brilliant shot looked set for goal but was met by an equally brilliant save from swallows no 1, Etafia.


The second half had a relatively mellow start but soon picked up with the fans in the stands getting behind their teams, A clear handball in the area by a Swallows defender ignored by the ref left Ajax CT coach Craig Roslee red faced and close to exploding as more and more careless tackles came in from the swallows players, resulting in 2 yellow cards for the Moroka birds.

The game looked set for a draw but an inspired substitution by Swallows to bring in Shaun Haschik for Sibongagonke Ndlovu was to make the difference on the night. Having become a bit a sloppy as the game wore on Ajax CT let Haschik latch on a stray ball in the 90th minute. Haschick made not light meal of the opportunity and buried a right footed shot into the lower right corner with only a minute to spare in regulation time sending the birds soaring with delight and into 6th position on the 08/09 PSL Table.

The result left Ajax CT 2nd in the league and saw Supersport Utd occupy top spot after their 2-0 win over Silver stars earlier. Other results were favourable to the South African football masses as Orlando Pirates triumphed 2-0 over Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs just managing a 1-0 victory over Maritzburg Utd.

The title race remains tight with a 9 point difference between number 8 and top spot in the league. Upcoming games wil shake things a bit more with a mid week game between Maritzburg utd and Bloem Celtic. However all football eyes will be on next weekend's fixtures as Ajax cape Town host some what inform Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates host lowly surprisers Bay Utd.

18 Area News. 26 Jan 09.