Madombidzha Western Stars played their hearts out when they beat Tshibvumo Young Stars 3-0 in a Safa Vhembe MMK Insurance Brokers play-off match played at the Makwarela FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Tshibvumo was only good at the far back and their midfielders hesitated for too long and did not release the ball on time for the goal poachers. This sloppy performance put the defence under tremendous pressure. The boys from Madombodzha initiated some promising moves from the centre of the pitch but were denied a number of scoring opportunities by the rock-solid defence of their opponents.

Although one of their key midfielders, Phumudzo Mafukate, was reprimanded with a card in the 14th minute, Stars did not lose their fighting spirit. They continued to pressure their opponents by creating promising moves from the centre of the pitch.

Things turned against Tshibvumo in the 30th minute, when their defence made a blunder and Percy Munonoka scored his team's first goal.

After the goal, Tshibvumo fought like a wounded tiger. Tshibvumo were the first to introduce a new face to their starting line-up. They replaced Sipho Kekena with Khamusi Netsianda three minutes into the last half.

Stars added another goal in their account in the 64th minute. Percy Munonoka went loose from the right corner and blasted in a rocket to complete his brace.

Stars later replaced Silas Rammbona with Molatelo Moholwa in a bid to strengthen their midfield. Rammbona formed a deadly combination with Munonoka.

Rammbona scored his team's third goal in 78th minute after a rebound.