United Artists continued to pave their way to the ABC Motsepe League by beating Tshambobvu Junior Aces 2-1 in their MMK Administrators' League match at the Lufule grounds on Saturday.

United Artists took the game to the visitors from the first whistle. Their strikers, Vutomi Ngomana and Mashudu Tshitahe, let them down by shooting aimlessly from close range time after time.

Although Junior Aces were out of touch in the first 20 minutes of the game, their skillful striker, Chris Manyaga, remained a live wire. Manyaga was everywhere, collecting the ball from the centre of the pitch while playing as a full striker. United Artists were leading 1-0 when the referee, Mr Luula Magaba, blew the half-time whistle.

Vutomi Ngomana hooked in a loose ball after a scramble within the Aces’ danger area in the 36th minute. Junior Aces regrouped soon afterwards and started to initiate some promising moves from behind. Talifhani Manyaga of Junior Aces was reprimanded with a card for tackling Lutendo Matodzi the rough way three minutes into the last stanza.

United Artists replaced Mulisa Tshivhi and Duglus Mutavhatsindi with Maanda Mulaudzi and Robert Baloyi respectively. The visitors responded by introducing Jetta Ramuthivheli and Lugisani Ramulongo for Hulisani Tshihume and Livhuwani Madzinge respectively.

Aces found the equalizer through Ndaedzo Madula in the 67th minute. United Artists were awarded a corner kick soon afterwards. Their captain, Maduvha Mudologi, beat the keeper with a long-range shot. Talifhani Manyaga of Junior Aces was given his marching orders for a bad tackle on Lucky Siobo. The keeper of Junior Aces, Tsumbe Netshiongolwe, was also booked for a continued argument with the referee in the dying minutes of the game.