Callies feel the brunt of Tigers ferocious attack
FUTURE Tigers taught the young Callies FC a 3-1 lesson at the Ginsberg Stadium near King William’s Town during their ABC Motsepe League clash at the weekend.
Callies expected a tough game against the Ginsberg-based outfit, according to their head coach Bruce July.
And Tigers did not disappoint and delivered, leaving July with no complaints after 90 minutes as he had expected a drubbing since his charges were only promoted from the SAB Regional League last season.
Tigers, who are position two, one point behind EC Bees wasted no time in announcing their intentions with Amandla “Amigo” Mrwebi scoring the first goal in just 15 minutes into the game.
After the Amigo goal, Tigers gained confidence to attack viciously, playing the ball on the visitors turf and capitalising on the lack of coordination on the Callies side.
Amigo turned provider after playing a beautiful setpiece with Masixole Loli, who found himself one-on-one with Callies goalkeeper Aphiwe Fezi but hit the right pole instead.
The Port Elizabeth side played a fast counter-attack with Darrol Dennis going through the Tigers defence like a hot knife through butter and found himself with Tigers goalkeeper Bongani Manavheli but failed to get an equaliser for his side.
Callies kept pushing but it seemed that their feet were getting heavy when they reached the final third and failed to trouble Manavheli.
Ronaldo Maarman exploited a gap in the Tigers’ defence before passing to Dennis who again was denied by Manavheli.
Loli was impressive with his style of play and stamina but he tried doing everything himself and while trying to defend his side he got cautioned with a yellow card for a rough tackle against Hayden Massyan.
In the second half, Mrwebi was on the offensive from the get-go missing two opportunities to score in the first 10 minutes. But in the 65th minute, Tigers’ Angel Snyman dribbled his way past a stunned Callies defence to score a second goal for Tigers.
Synman also found himself with only Fezi to beat but the Callies shotstopper was equal to the ocasion.
The impressive Loli was then fouled on the edge of the box by Ronaldo Maarman who received a yellow card for his rough tackle.
Loli dusted himself up and calmly slotted past Fezi – Lionel Messi-style – to make it 3-0.
Callies scored a consolation goal 10 minutes from time when Hayden Massyan connected with a Maarman corner.
But it was too little too late to stage any comeback.
Tigers coach Linda Mtebele was happy with how his players stuck to his game plan.
“I’m very happy with my boys. Firstly, the discipline they showed today was amazing and it was our winning factor. If they continue this trend, I am sure we will take the league,” the coach said.
His Callies counterpart, July, said the game was a learning curve for him and his side.
“This team is still young and we were short-staffed today, playing with only 13 players and nine of them are U19 players.
“I am not disappointed because we are preparing this team for the future as we only got promoted this season,” he said.
The results: Lion City 3-0 Mdantsane Mighty Bucks, City Lads 44 Tornado, Mthatha City 1-0 Swartkops Valley United Brothers, Future Tigers 3-1 Callies, Matta Milan 1-1 Matatiele Professionals, Young Ideas 5-1 Walter Sisulu University, FC Buffalo 1-2 EC Bees and Highbury 1-3 Morning Stars.