Velemseni Ndwandwe's first-half strike was enough to grab a 1-0 win for Golden Arrows over 10-man Tshakhuma Tsha Madzhivhandila in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
Abafana Bes'thende had the better of the early exchanges and found their breakthrough in the 18th minute when a cross picked out Ndwandwe who stuck it in the back of the net for the hosts.
At the other end of the pitch TTM had a free kick delivered to the far post where it was cleared, leading to two shots on target from Knox Mutizwa, after a counter-attack, but goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo did well to keep him out.
The visitors' hopes of coming back to level pegging took a hard hit in the 29th minute as Joseph Malongoane was sent off with a straight red after a vicious tackle on Pule Mmodi.
Arrows kept the pressure on the 10-man TTM side and threatened to find their second goal just before the break as Mmodi sent a ball into the box, only to see it cleared as the away side defended in numbers.
TTM coach Joel Masutha attempted to change his team's fortunes in the second half as he made a triple substitution. Brandon Theron, Aluwani Nedzamba, and Ayanda Nkili came on for Thabo Rakhale, Celimpilo Ngema, and Tebogo Thangwane.
The pressure continued to mount on TTM as Arrows attacked them relentlessly as the second half wore on.
One such attack came within inches of doubling the lead but Mmodi's attempt in the 75th minute came off the post instead.
TTM still had some fight left in the last 10 minutes and came out of their half in an attempt to grab a late equaliser. Arrows were up to the task, however, and maintained their discipline to see out the game and collect three well-earned points.
- TEAMtalk media