Pattison makes his mark at Wits

MIDFIELD maestro Matthew Pattison believes that in Wits, he has found the perfect team to showcase his full potential in the Premier Soccer League.

Pattison was a key figure in the Clever Boys' 3-2 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend as the side knocked the Soweto giants out of the Telkom Knockout.

The 25-year-old former Newcastle United and Norwich City player's career seemed uncertain after a three-year stint with Mamelodi Sundowns - which he joined when he returned from England in 2009.

Pattison had a short six-month stay with relegated Santos at the beginning of the year before he was snatched up by Wits prior to the start of the new season.

"I'm enjoying my football again," said Pattison. "I'm at the right club now and looking forward to happy years here."

The hard-working midfielder put on a man-of-the-match performance to sink Amakhosi.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter had compliments for the gutsy and sedulous midfield whiz.

"He did exceptionally well. He was afforded space he should not have been afforded, and he used it well. He is an exceptional player," said Baxter.

The result was one of sweet revenge for The Students, who had suffered a 3-1 league defeat to the table-topping Chiefs side earlier in the season.

The win was even sweeter since it took Wits a step closer to potentially winning a cup.

Pattison said: "It was a bit of revenge. We don't want to lose any game, but when you play Chiefs in a cup game you want to win and we wanted to progress to the next round (of the Knockout)."

He is hoping the side will go as far as possible in the competition, but he admitted that it will not be an easy road.

Wits travel to Lucas Moripe Stadium for a league encounter with SuperSport United on Saturday.