Arrows secure first Betway Premiership win as Milford draw with Polokwane City

Abafana Bes’thende claimed their first Betway Premiership victory of the season after Sede Dion scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.

The Ivorian striker decided the match for the second consecutive game, converting a quick transition with a diving header in the 70th minute. His finish ended a goalless run in the fixture and gave Pitso Dladla’s side their first league success of the campaign.

The result lifted Arrows to sixth place in the Betway Premiership table, while Stellenbosch dropped to 11th.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time, although Stellenbosch captain Sage Stephens was required to make the only notable save of the opening 45 minutes.

Stephens denied Thokozani Khumalo from close range in the 14th minute, keeping the scores level after the Arrows forward had found an opportunity inside the area.

Stellenbosch then came close to taking the lead 10 minutes later when youngster Raoul Daniels fired over the bar as the visitors searched for an opening goal.

Arrows remained disciplined defensively for the rest of the first half and continued to frustrate Stellenbosch after the interval. Their persistence was rewarded when another rapid move forward created the opportunity for Dion, who met the ball with a diving header to put the hosts ahead.

Stellenbosch were unable to find a response, allowing Arrows to secure a significant league result and move into the top half of the table.

Milford and Polokwane remain level

Elsewhere, top-flight newcomers Milford extended their unbeaten run with a goalless draw against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The stalemate means Milford have now gone three league matches without a win, although the point moved them into a surprise fourth position in the Betway Premiership standings.

Polokwane City, known as Rise and Shine, remain 10th on the log after failing to find a breakthrough in Wednesday’s meeting.

Neither team could turn its chances into a goal, with Milford maintaining their position among the leading sides despite the continuation of their winless sequence. Polokwane City also collected a point but stayed outside the top half of the table.

The two results produced contrasting outcomes for the teams involved. Arrows made upward progress after finally securing a league win, while Stellenbosch slipped towards the lower end of the standings. Milford retained an unexpected place in fourth despite drawing their way to a third successive league match without victory, and Polokwane City remained 10th.

The Betway Premiership standings therefore saw movement at both ends of the results from Wednesday: Arrows climbed to sixth, Stellenbosch fell to 11th, Milford occupied fourth and Polokwane City stayed in 10th.