Stars take Pride of place after five-goal thriller

THE East London Central Local Football Association premier league hosted one of the most entertaining Braelyn derbies between old rivals Star of India and Pride of India on Sunday at the North End Stadium.

In a five-goal thriller, Star of India staged a remarkable recovery from being two goals down to clinch this riveting end-to-end encounter by a 3-2 margin. Pride of India started like a side determined to make a statement and their impressive striker, Juninho Klaasen, made their possession count as he struck twice within the hour mark.

Stars’s highly underrated striker Heinrich Fritz however had other ideas as he demonstrated his combination of physical power and technical ability to rifle home a half-volley in the 46th-minute before Lwanda Soldati incredibly levelled matters midway into the second half.

Prides failed to make the most of their dominance as they were denied through a combination of excellent goalkeeping from Stars keeper Ryan Vasi and some wayward finishing. which ultimately proved to be their downfall as Fritz struck with 10 minutes remaining when he drilled the ball home through a forest of legs for an unlikely winner. Seagulls leapfrogged to the top of the logstandings after grinding out a 1-0 win against Brothers of Peace courtesy of a second half strike from Vuyo Hibana.

Swaraj moved into fourth place and added more misery to Napoli’s poor start to the season when Alrico Sandt grabbed a 48th-minute winner.

In other premier league results Scenery Park-based premier league debutantes Millan once again proved that they will be a tough nut to crack this season when they held the defending champions Riverside to a 1-1 draw. Atlantic Spurs continued with their fine run when they beat Conquerors 1-0 and Parkside United and DiRoma played out to a 1-1 draw.

FC East London moved to the top of the John Korkie-sponsored first division standings after they beat Ngamla 2-1 on Wednesday evening at the North End Stadium. Saints is in second place after playing out to a goalless draw against Leeds United and Diaroma United moved up into third place after recording a 2-0 win against Central United. In other first division results Imonti Christian Centre thumped Alphen Warriors 4-1 and K-Way and Real Dukashe played out to a 2-2 draw.