Back to business as Central’s big guns square up
AFTER a highly successful fourday Youth Football Tournament the East London Central LFA resumes its senior and youth league action this week at the North End Stadium, Parkside and Showgrounds.
After four rounds of premier league fixtures the 2017 Easter Tournament champions Star of India and the 2015 Premier league champions and last season’s runners-up Riverside are the only unbeaten sides and lead the logstandings ahead of Atlantic Spurs (third), surprise outfit Brothers of Peace (fourth) and Pride of India (fifth).
Defending champions Swaraj have had a slow start to the season and are in sixth place, four points adrift of the premier league pacesetters. Riverside face a daunting encounter against the dangerous Brothers of Peace tomorrow at 6.30pm.
Ex-Swaraj veteran striker Bradley Mentoor has had a new lease of life since he joined Brothers of Peace and has been their pillar of strength for his new side with his physical presence and some crucial goals.
Swaraj entertain ninth-placed Buffalo City Sports Academy in the early encounter at 5pm.
Buffalo City Sports Academy have been let down by a leaky defence that have already conceded 22 goals this season – a department which the champions will exploit with their skilful and pacy frontrunners.
The pick of the weekend premier league fixtures is at the North End Stadium on Sunday, when Parkside United and Seagulls renew their old rivalry at 3.30pm.
After an excellent start in their debut premier league season United have taken their foot of the pedal suffering two consecutive defeats, to Prides and Stars respectively.
Seagulls also hit a purple patch in their last two outings, picking up only two points – against Conquerors (1-1) and Brothers of Peace (2-2) respectively. Both sides will know the importance of their crunch tie should they want to stay in contention for league honours come end of the season.
Frontrunners Star of India lock horns with 10th-placed Conquerors at 2pm and Pride of India host strugglers Saints at 12.30pm.
The East London Central LFA John Korkie-sponsored First Division Promotional League logleaders Leeds United are expected to extend their unbeaten run when they entertain 10th-placed Diaroma United at 11am on Sunday at North End. Their title rivals Central United face ninth-placed K-Way FC at the Parkside Grounds on Sunday at 3pm.
Eighth-placed Imonti Christian Centre lock horns with 12thplaced Real Dukashe at 1.30pm and sixth-placed F C East London face the Riverside U20s at noon.
The East London Central Youth leagues have produced some interesting and exciting fixtures and has been well supported by the communities thus far.
The East London Central Youth leagues have produced some interesting and exciting fixtures and has been well supported by the communities and parents at large this season.
Pride of India is the team to beat in the Clayton/Brendon de Kocksponsored U10 league and there is nothing to separate Pefferville United, Central United and Millan in the Calvin Brown-sponsored U12 league.
Atlantic Spurs are the surprise leaders in the Impala Electricalsponsored U14 league and Pride of India is also riding the crest of the wave in the Joe Hendricks Memorial U16 league.
Braelyn United has been in terrific form in the Deolin Willemse-sponsored U18 league. A full round of league fixtures in all these age categories is scheduled to take place from 9am tomorrow at the North End Stadium (U10s and U12s), Parkside grounds (U14s) and Showgrounds (U16s and U18s).