Goals from Oswin Appollis in the first half and Tshepang Moremi late in the match ensured the Buccaneers collected all three points in a performance that underlined the gulf in quality between the reigning champions and the league newcomers.

Pirates wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest. Deon Hotto delivered a dangerous cross inside the opening three minutes as the hosts immediately looked to put Milford under pressure.

Oswin Appollis - Pirates

The visitors had their first meaningful opportunity in the 13th minute when Khanyisani Radebe tested Sipho Chaine with a long-range effort, but the Pirates goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

The breakthrough arrived shortly after the 20-minute mark from a set-piece. Appollis stepped up to strike a free-kick that took a heavy deflection off the defensive wall, leaving Milford goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza with no chance as the ball found the back of the net.

With the lead secured, Pirates dominated possession and dictated the tempo for the remainder of the first half. Milford struggled to create clear-cut chances, although Menzi Chili and Radebe both had attempts that failed to trouble the Buccaneers' defence.

The home side resumed after the interval with the same attacking intent. Thalente Mbatha was quick to test the visitors with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area just three minutes into the second half.

Milford battled to gain any momentum and rarely threatened going forward. Their best effort came just before the hour mark when Radebe tried his luck from more than 30 metres out, but Chaine was once again equal to the task.

Pirates continued to push for a second goal and came close in the 68th minute. Hotto produced another dangerous delivery into the box, where Patrick Maswanganyi met the cross with a header, only for Hleza to make a comfortable save.

The champions eventually put the result beyond doubt five minutes from full-time. A swift counter-attack carved open the Milford defence before Lebone Seema slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Moremi. The winger kept his composure and fired a left-footed finish past Hleza to seal the victory.

With a two-goal cushion, Pirates comfortably managed the closing stages, denying Milford any route back into the contest as they secured a clean sheet and maximum points to begin the defence of their league crown.

Milford, making their return to top-flight football, showed moments of determination but found the step up in quality difficult to match against a polished Pirates outfit.

The opening days other results saw Kaizer Chiefs beating Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Sekhukhune United edging Durban City at the Seshego Stadium, AmaZulu beating Stellenbosch FC at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban, while Golden Arrows and Chippa United played to a goalless draw.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport