New Star At Stellies? Young Striker Bags Ha…

Quwan Plaatjies netted a hat-trick on his Stellenbosch debut. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Young striker Quwan Plaatjies had a professional debut to remember after bagging a hat-trick to guide Stellenbosch FC to a 3-1 win over Marumo Gallants on Friday night.

Fixture: Stellenbosch FC v Marumo Gallants
Score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Plaatjies (13′, 28′, 54′) / Dhludhlu (81′)

Gavin Hunt’s side came into the contest looking for their first win after an entertaining 3-3 draw against Polokwane City on Tuesday evening, while Gallants started their campaign with a goalless draw against newly-promoted Kruger United the same day.

Quwan Plaatjies was given his debut for Stellenbosch and he got his top-flight career off to a superb start when he opened the scoring for the home side on 13 minutes by cutting in from the left and curling one into the far corner.

The Stellenbosch debutant was having a game to remember as he went on to bag his second goal in the 28th minute after getting ahead of his marker at the far post to nod home Raoul Daniels’ well-weighted cross, as Gallants had no response for the young winger.

Phuti Mohafe’s charges did see more of the ball as the contest went on but they did not do enough with the ball in the final third to trouble Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens, who did not have a big save to make in the opening 45 minutes.

It got worse for the visitors in the second half when Stellenbosch bagged a third goal through in similar fashion to the second when Plaatjies nodded home a cross from Daniels to mark his top-flight with a memorable hat-trick.

Gallants had a rare sight at goal with 10 minutes left on the clock when Stephens could only parry a shot back into the danger area, where Thapelo Dhludhlu was on hand to rifle the ball home for the team’s first goal of the new season.

There would be no late comeback from Mohafe’s side despite Stellenbosch taking their foot off the pedal in the closing stages, as Gavin Hunt’s men bag their first win of the season at the third attempt while Gallants are winless after two games.

Next Three Fixtures:

Stellenbosch FC: Golden Arrows (A), Durban City (A), Sekhukhune United (H)

Marumo Gallants: Mamelodi Sundowns (A), TS Galaxy (H), Polokwane City (A)

Related tags