Riverside come back from the brink to secure victory
RIVERSIDE demonstrated their remarkable team spirit to come roaring back from being 2-1 down to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win against Buffalo City Sports Academy in arguably one of the most entertaining East London Central premier league football fixtures played this season at the North End stadium.
As a 21-year-old Riverside mercurial striker Sheldon Stevens was denied from playing in Safa National sanctioned football activities due to regional football politics after East London Central was excluded from all regional football activities.
On Sunday he demonstrated his immense talent by producing a matchwinning performance by having a hand in two goals and netting a superb winner on the stroke of fulltime.
2017 NoelMein Cup champions Buffalo City Sports Academy matched the premier league champions-elect in all aspects of the game from the opening whistle with Ruhan Xundu proving a handful with his darting runs down the wing.
It was however Riverside who drew first blood in the 21st minute when midfield talisman Cuan Benny nipped in at the near post to head home a well taken corner-kick from Stevens.
Sports Academy were however on level terms in the 29th minute when Venay Vaaltyn ran unmarked into the Riverside goal area and headed home a superb square from the right.
Buffalo City midfielder Devlin Arends then stunned Riverside in the 43rd minute when he collected and fired a missile from 20 metres out giving Riverside keeper Kurwin Casels no chance.
It seemed destined to be Buffalo City Sports Academy’s day. However they were again found wanting from a setpiece in the 66th minute when Rynaldo Stevens rose high to head home a perfectly floated corner-kick from Stevens.
With time running out and the match seemingly heading for a draw Buffalo City Sports Academy were penalised for an infringement well outside their goal area but within goal range.
It was a case of cometh the hour cometh the man as Stevens stepped up and delivered a wonder strike that deflected off the defensive wall and ended up in the back of the net to the delight of the Riverside crowd.
Elsewhere Seagulls, Star of India and the defending champions Swaraj remained in the hunt for premier league honours with convincing wins.
Second-placed Seagulls made light work of Brothers of Peace as Lungelo Yekiso netted a sublime hat-trick in his side’s 4-0 win.
Sherwin Olivier also added his name to the scoresheet. Star of India veteran striker Allistar Visagie once again proved his predatory skills when he struck twice to guide his side to a comfortable 3-0 win against Parkside United. Ivandre Campbell netted the other goal.
Despite going a goal down and having to see the match out with 10 men after Abel Snyman was sent off for retaliation the defending champions Swaraj were too strong for Conquerors running out 5-1 victors.
Markhum Meyers struck twice with further goals from Jaid Kroutz, Tevin Campbell and Rais Frazer. Napoli lifted themselves out of the relegation zone when they beat Saints 3-1 to add further woes to their opponents relegation dogfight.
Saints were again let down by poor finishing and defensive calamities which Napoli made full use of with Lybo Poyo, Momelezi Tanana and Thandolomzi Yaphi all finding the back of the net.
In the other premier league result Prides beat Atlantic Spurs 2-0. On Wednesday evening Buffalo City Sports Academy entertain Saints at 6.30pm at North End and Riverside host Atlantic Spurs at 8pm.
Imonti Christian Centre entrenched their position at the top of the East London Central LFA John Korkie sponsored 1st Division league summit after a smash and grab 1-0 win against Real Dukashe.
Central United’s title aspirations suffered a major blow after going down 3-1 margin to K-Way while Leeds United got back to winning ways after a narrow 1-0 win against Diaroma United.
In other first division results Riverside U20 beat FC East London 4-2 while Prides U20 and Alphen Warriors drew 0-0 .
On Thursday evening at the North End Stadium Prides U20 cross swords with Central United at 6.30pm and Brothers of Peace U20 take on Leeds United at 8pm.