TS Galaxy crushed Orbit College 3-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Saturday night to rack up a third successive win in the Betway Premiership.

The Rockets triumphed thanks to goals from Seluleko Mahlambi, Siphesihle Maduna and Mpho Mvelase to rise to fourth place on the log – just four points adrift of co-leaders Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs, despite having lost their first two league matches of the season.

As for the Mswenko Boys, this is a third successive loss (and four from their opening five league matches), leaving them in 15th place on the table.

Galaxy got off to a flying start, claiming the lead after just 36 seconds of play: Maduna drove in a low cross from the right flank and Mahlambi tucked home from close range for 1-0.

Orbit were close to an equaliser twice in quick succession around the 10 minute mark, via two strikes from free kicks by Tshepo Matsemela – the first hit the woodwork, and the second forced a sharp save from Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tape.

The Rockets then missed out on a great chance to double their lead, springing the offside trap to put Mvelase in on goal, but he was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane.

On 17 minutes Galaxy earned a penalty, with Mahlambi intelligently pouncing on a loose ball and drawing a foul from the ‘keeper. However, Moerane made up for giving away the spot kick by saving Puso Dithejane’s effort from 12 yards.

The remainder of the first half saw the relentless end-to-end action drop off, with both teams seeking a greater sense of control, and the interval arrived with the visitors still 1-0 up.

On the hour mark, the Mswenko Boys blew a great chance to draw level, as a cross from the right flank by Kobamelo Setlhodi was missed by Tape and found substitute Gomolemo Khoto at the far post, but he was unable to direct an effort on target from close range.

Galaxy made the hosts pay for their profligacy, scoring a second goal just a couple of minutes later. A sweeping move concluded with Maduna driving down the left side of the penalty area and crashing home a left-footed shot from a tight angle for 2-0.

And in the 67th minute the Rockets made it 3-0, with Dithejane speeding to the right by-line before pulling a low cross back to find an unmarked Mvelase, who easily tapped home from close range to put the result beyond doubt.

Orbit almost pulled a goal back in spectacular style in the 74th minute, with Siyabulela Mabele letting fly from the right channel – his effort had the beating of Tape, but not the woodwork.

The hosts finally broke their scoring duck in the 85th minute, with substitutes Lethabo Modimoeng and Ayanda Lukhele combining for the latter to net from close range to make it 3-1.

And Galaxy’s messy end to an otherwise excellent performance continued three minutes later when defender Lentswi Motaung picked up a second yellow card and was sent off.

The teams will return to Premiership action in mid-September, with Orbit away to Chippa United and Galaxy visiting Richards Bay.

Orbit College (0) 1 (Lukehel 85’)

TS Galaxy (1) 3 (Mahlambi 1’, Maduna 63’, Mvelase 67’)

Orbit: Moerane, Setlhodi (Mkhabela 75’), Mokgosi, Nhlapo, Jingana, Mabele, Thibedi, Matsemela (Chweu 75’), Malatsi (Lukhele 67’), Saleng (Khoto 58’), Ramosala (Modimoeng 67’)

Galaxy: Tape, Motaung, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo (Sibande 28’), Mbunjana, Maduna, Dithejane (Nkosi 81’), Mgaga (Onke 81’), Mahlambi (Zindoga 75’), Mvelase