Stellenbosch FC stormed into the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 6-3 thrashing of TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
Stellies had goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt back from the 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns and lined-up the in-form Iqraam Raners up top, while Galaxy started Bernard Parker and Orebotse Mongae.
The Maroons settled first and thereby registered the opener on three minutes when Devon Titus unleashed a scorching effort from a decent area beyond Vasilije Kolak.
Galaxy needed to though introduce a substitution from the bench ahead of the half-hour mark as Tshegofatso Nyama struggled to continue and saw Ebrahim Seedat enter.
However, Galaxy were very nearly two goals down around the last ten minutes of the half and needed a fine stop from Kolak to thwart a free-kick from Rayners.
The Rockets rallied forward and got rewarded four minutes from halftime as Jose Medina finishe6 d from the penalty spot following a foul by Olwethu Makhanya on Mongae.
Stellenbosch didn't stay level for long and went to the break in front after a foul on Junior Mendieta in the area led to a penalty and Rayners did the honours with a smart conversion.
There were more danger for the host minutes following the break when Rayners ran around the defence and forced a save off Kolak with a low shot before Mendieta had the follow-up cleared off the line.
Stellies eventually extended their lead 12 minutes in the second half after Andre De Jong arrived late in the area and steered a low cross from Rayners in the roof of the net.
The Maroons bagged a fourth ten minutes later where Rayners again got down the byline and laid off a low pass for Mendieta to fire in the far corner.
Galaxy pushed numbers for a turnaround and got a penalty in the last three minutes after Makhanya fouled Mongae again and allowed Masilake Phohlongo to fire in the resultant spot-kick.
Steve Barker's men immediately restored their three-goal advantage when Rayners latched onto a through pass and ran clear of the defence to slot in the bottom-corner.
The goal-feast continued in added time as Galaxy got a third after Kamogelo Sebelebele pounced on a cross-field ball from the left and fired in the bottom-corner.
Stellenbosch, though, bagged a sixth with the last kick of the game when Ibraheem Jabaar dropped a shoulder outside the area and drilled in the near corner to see the match to a close.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Kolak, M.Mahlangu, Msimango, Sanoka, Nyama, Mbunjana, Parker, Medina Rodriguez, Mongae, S.Mahlangu, Sebelebele
Subs: Van der Linde, Mlambo, Seedat, Hlongwane, Mathekgane, Phohlongo, Seema, Radebe
Stellenbosch: Langeveldt, Makhanya, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Mendieta, Sibiya, Jabaar, De Jong, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Stephens, Mgaga, Sibande, Mngomezulu, Mcaba, Adams, Boji, Van Wyk
You must be Sign In to post and read comments.
Click here to register: Sign In