I’M SURE we are all familiar with the frustration that accompanies putting in effort, applying yourself, and putting in endless hours only to be met with frustration, roadblocks, and shortfalls.

So we can all, probably, sympathise with the teams at the bottom of the Betway Premiership table who, despite their best efforts, find themselves in a very undesirable position at this stage of the season.

For that reason, the battle for points at the foot of the Betway Premiership takes centre stage this weekend, with three sides still searching for their first league victory and others looking to build momentum as the season progresses.

Chippa United host Kruger United at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 3.30pm. Both teams have managed just one league win so far, but Chippa have the opportunity to move into the top eight with a victory.

The Chilli Boys have eight points from seven matches and will look to make home advantage count against a Kruger side that has collected four points from the same number of games. Kruger’s inconsistent start has left them 13th, just above the bottom three.

At the same time, Golden Arrows welcome Milford FC to King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in a KwaZulu-Natal encounter.

Milford have made an encouraging start to life in the top flight, collecting 12 points from eight matches to occupy fifth place. They face an Arrows side sitting eighth with eight points, although the Durban outfit have played one game fewer.

Milford will be looking to maintain their early-season momentum, while Arrows have an opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them.

Saturday’s final fixture sees Sekhukhune United host Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium, with kick-off at 6pm.

Sekhukhune have collected 11 points from seven matches and sit sixth on the log, while Gallants are bottom with just two points and are still without a league win.

Gallants have suffered defeats against front-runners AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates in their most recent league outings. They will need a response against a Sekhukhune side that has made the stronger start to the campaign.

Siwelele are also yet to register a league victory. They have three points from seven matches and occupy 14th place, level on points with Richards Bay, who sit 15th. Polokwane, meanwhile, have seven points and will be looking to improve their position in the middle of the standings.

With the leading sides occupied by their continental commitments, the weekend’s domestic action offers the chasing pack an opportunity to make progress — and the teams near the foot of the table a chance to ease the pressure.

For Gallants and Siwelele in particular, the search for a first victory is becoming increasingly urgent.

And who knows if any of these teams can find that extra gear they so desperately need.