It is a source of frustration for Gavin Hunt that‚ despite riding high again‚ Bidvest Wits have dropped valuable points at home softly‚ such as in Wednesday night’s 2-2 Absa Premiership draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Wits had a 2-0 lead at Bidvest Stadium‚ and appeared to have Clinton Larsen’s normally well-drilled Arrows on the ropes‚ but blew their cushion in the second half.
A revealing statistic is that this was the first time Wits had let a two-goal lead slip in the league since December 3‚ 2011‚ also against Arrows at Bidvest Stadium.
Concerning for Hunt is that‚ while he cannot complain about Wits’ start after last season’s 13th-placed hiatus – with the Clever Boys remaining in second after 13 matches this campaign – it was a second lead blown at home in succession.
On November 10 Wits were 1-0 up against Bloemfontein Celtic before conceding a brace to Tshegofatso Mabaso‚ and a 2-1 defeat.
On Wednesday night Simon Murray’s 14th-minute penalty and Gift Motupa’s 28th-minute second were squandered as Arrows scored through Seth Parusnath (49th) and Wayde Jooste (62nd‚ penalty).
“We were dominating‚ we should have killed the game off and we didn’t‚” Hunt bemoaned afterwards.
“And then they got a break‚ and then they got another break – and that’s what happens.”
He admitted five points dropped at home against Celtic and Arrows was costly.
“Ja‚ it’s costing big time. Experienced defenders are making major mistakes. So it’s disappointing‚” Hunt said.
“It feels like a loss when you dominate like that. Celtic was a loss.
“You’ve got to kill games off. You’re not killing games off at home. It’s better when we play away from home‚ anyway. We’re better away.”
Arrows switched from four at the back to a 3-5-2 after Wits ran all over them in the opening half-hour.
The wingbacks (Divine Lunga and Siboniso Conco‚ who was replaced by the even pacier Jooste at the break) pushing up troubled Wits.
It was strange‚ though‚ that a team of the Clever Boys’ experience could not adapt to the switch.
“Our two centre-halves weren’t handling it. So we had to change‚ put an extra centre-half [Lehlohonolo Nonyane] in there‚ and then we matched them and we looked fine‚” Hunt claimed.
“There were no problems. And then they get the two breaks.
“They get the penalty where if he [Nonyane] just clears the ball out of there [it would be OK]. It’s a mistake and these things happen.”
Wits have two matches remaining in December ahead of the Christmas break.
They meet Baroka FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday and Chippa United at Bidvest Stadium on Friday‚ December 21.
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