Williams goes 671 minutes without conceding as Sundowns triumph

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stretched his run without conceding in the South African Premiership to 671 minutes as the leaders won 2-0 at third-placed Richards Bay on Friday.

The South Africa captain has not picked the ball from the net since September 10 last year when the record 12-time champions edged Golden Arrows.

Williams was not tested until the 60th minute, when he used his legs to thwart Richards Bay in the rain-drenched Indian Ocean port city of Durban.

Signed from Pretoria neighbours SuperSport United ahead of this season, the 30-year-old shot-stopper has conceded only five times in 15 Premiership matches.

Victory took Sundowns 11 points clear of Richards Bay with both clubs having played half their 30 fixtures. SuperSport are second, 10 points behind the leaders.

Sundowns, seeking a sixth straight league title, always looked likely winners against opponents who have exceeded expectations since winning promotion last season.

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A delicate lob by Cassius Mailula gave Sundowns the lead on 39 minutes and Hashim Domingo punished a string of blunders to double the advantage after 66 minutes.

After a careless throw by Uganda-born Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola was intercepted, the home side fluffed a chance to clear the ball in the ensuing goalmouth melee.

Magoola then erred again by failing to grasp the resultant low cross and Domingo made no mistake from close range.

Meanwhile, Soweto side Swallows moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a 2-0 home win over sixth-placed Chippa United courtesy of goals from Mbulelo Wambi and Kagiso Malinga.

No one was more relieved by the outcome than Ernst Middendorp, the German who last month became the third coach of Swallows this season and lost his first two matches in charge.