Fans saw a feast of goals when Vhembe FET College beat The Dolphins FC 5-3 in their MMK Funeral Services Soccer League match at the Makwarela Stadium on Sunday.

The Dolphins did not die a coward’s death, despite the fact that they played the whole game with 10 men. The players who were on the bench could not play because of age restrictions.

The students opened their account in the ninth minute. Their captain, Marc Mabasa, was on target after a neat pass from Talifhani Matange. It took the Dolphins six minutes to retaliate. Mullet Nevhulorwa forced his way through the defence of Vhembe and unleashed a close-range rocket.

Vhembe took the lead again moments afterwards when Marc Mabasa scored easily. They continued to dictate terms after their second goal and scored two more in quick succession. Mulweli Malada, who scored a hat-trick in the game, found the net in the 27th minute. Malada scored his second goal three minutes later after connecting Rudolph Sithole’s square pass.

The Dolphins did not throw in the towel without a fight. They pulled one back in the 40th minute via Mullet Nevhulorwa to bring the half-time score to 4-2.

The kick off for the second half was delayed for about 15 minutes. At that stage, the officials of The Dolphins were refusing to pay the match officials their travelling expenses. They argued that they could not foot the bill since one of the assistant referees, Mr Khamusi Razwimisani, was not giving them fair treatment.

They agreed to pay the match officials after Razwimisani excused himself from the officiating panel. Vhembe introduced two new faces in the 64th minute in a bid to beef up their ailing midfield. They increased the tally in the 69th minute. Mulweli Malada completed his hat trick after a scramble within the box. The Dolphins reduced the margin through Livhuwani Mudzanani late in the game.