Gods smile on Stars in intriguing dogfight
CURRENT Premier League logleaders Star of India FC were given a real run for their money against a gutsy Parkside United on Sunday at the North End Stadium before prevailing by a 2-1 margin in a thrilling end-to-end encounter.
Fresh from winning the Easter Tournament Platinum trophy the green and whites unveiled another new signing in veteran goalkeeper Augusto van Heerden and had him to thank for keeping the score blank in the opening half as United had two clearcut opportunities which they failed to convert and which would prove costly in the end.
A rampant United, with midfielder Riccardo Horner playing a pivotal role in the heart of the engineroom, had the first opportunity after 15 minutes when Curtis Green fluffed his chance with the goal at his mercy.
Sheldon Windvogel then found himself with only the keeper to beat in the 22nd minute, but sent his shot wide of the mark as Van Heerden mustered all his experience in closing the angles before Windvogel could aim and fire.
Despite being outplayed for long periods in the first half the flamboyant side from Braelyn summoned the spirit and desire that won them the Easter tournament and went 1-0 up in the 34th minute when the excellent Evandre Campbell weaved his way past a horde of defenders before stabbing home, giving the keeper no chance.
Parkside United did not lay down and equalised immediately at the resumption of the second half when Leroy Stuurman notched one of his trademark goals with a 15-metre drive that hit the top corner and the back of the Star of India net.
Stars breached the United defence on more than one occasion but could not find a way past an uncompromising Fernando Malgas in goal.
It was, however, heartbreak for Malgas and his side when, with but 10 minutes remaining, a tame drive from Loyiso Bolsik was going wide of the mark when Malgas inexplicably tried to gather it only to drop it into the path of the ever-alert Stars striker Temba Moloi, who is renowned for his predatory skills.
He duly dispatched the loose ball into the back of the net to seal a hard fought victory.
Ex-Swaraj seasoned striker Bradley Mentoor proved why he is so highly rated with a double strike in securing his new side Brothers of Peace a share of the spoils in an exciting 2-2 draw against Seagulls in their C C Lloyd derby encounter.
Bevlin Willard opened the scoring for Seagulls in the 16th minute before Mentoor levelled matters when he slipped in behind the opposing defence.
Seagulls industrious midfielder Rolando Damons nudged his side ahead just before halftime but Mentoor was again on target midway into the second half to earn his side a deserved point. Defending premier league champions Swaraj got their title aspirations back on track with a comfortable 3-1 win against Conquerors in a bizarre encounter that saw the champions complete the match with eight men after three of their players were sent off.
New Swaraj signing Tevin Campbell notched his first goal for his side and Dillon Block and Bennet Carelse sealed the win with second half strikes after Conquerors Luvuyo Mlahlwa had pulled one back for his side.
Swaraj keeper Bernito Rayners saw red with but five minutes remaining for allegedly punching an opponent and then Markhum Meyers and Dillon Block were also sent off for remonstrating with the match official.
Veteran Atlantic Spurs midfielder Earl Jafta was the hero for his side when his lastminute long-range superlative strike earned his side a narrow 3-2 win against Pride of India on Friday evening.
This evening at the North End stadium, Napoli face Saints at 6.30pm and Buffalo City Sports Academy host Riverside at 8pm to complete the last round of week four premier league fixtures.
Leeds United remained the team to beat in the East London Central LFA 1st Division Promotional League with a 6-0 win against basement dwellers the East London United U20s on Friday at North End. In the other results Central United remained second after a 2-1 win against Alphen Warriors, Riverside U20s upset third-placed Millan by a 2-0 margin, FC East London thrashed Diaroma United 4-0, Imonti Christian Centre return to winning ways after a 4-1 win against Atlantis Spurs U20s, Brothers of Peace U20s humbled K-Way FC 3-1 and Prides U20s and Real Dukashe played out to a 4-4 draw.
In the E L Central Youth Leagues Prides is leading the Clayton/Brendon de Kock log after beating Santa Rosa 1-0, Pefferville United and Central United are leading the way in the Calvin Brown sponsored U12 league after resounding wins against Swaraj (8-0) and Prides (4-2) respectively.
Atlantic Spurs are the surprise Impala Electrical-sponsored U14 pacesetters after thumping East London United 12-0 and Prides lead the Joe Hendricks Memorial U16 log after thrashing Santa Rosa 8-0. Braelyn United FC lead the Deoline Willemse-sponsored U18 league after they recorded a 3-1 win against Leeds United.