And the goals keep coming at North End

THE North End Premier League football championship has over the past 50 years provided the stage for club marksmen to truly cement their status as a community footballing icons.

One can but name great footballing stars such as Laden Gamiet, Byron Klaasen, Tommy Morris, Sydney Swartz, Gary Vengadajellum and Brendan Augustine who became household names through their goalscoring prowess. The East London Central Local Football Association sixth Edition Premier League Championships unveiled a number of potential footballing icons and they certainly delivered during the penultimate first round of games played over the weekend at the North End Stadium. DiRoma’s red-hot striker Angel Snyman once again made his presence felt with a sublime hat-trick to lead his side to a 5-1 victory against Brothers of Peace – a result that saw his side move up into second place. Klippies Vaaltyn netted the other two goals.

Seagulls’ Bevlin Willard once again demonstrated his predatory skills as he also bagged a hat-trick to secure a 5-2 win against Millan for the green and whites. Matthew Haynes added a brace. Parkside United left it late against Atlantic Spurs in their 1-0 win and it was once again the ever-reliable Keanu Perrin who came to his sides rescue with a stoppage time winner after some brilliant work on the right wing by Theoniel Plaaitjies.

Conquerors made it two consecutive wins when they beat Napoli 2-0 courtesy of goals from Luvuyo Nyiki and Phumlani Mpambani while Pride of India came from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 win against Swaraj. Swaraj took an early lead when Dillon Block slammed home from close-range. However Prides were on level terms 10 minutes later when the fleetfooted Juninho Klaasen got behind the Swaraj defence to net the equaliser. It was that man Kwanele Kangele who once again proved to be the difference when he grabbed the winner for Prides with 15 minutes remaining.

All eyes were on the main encounter on Sunday against table-toppers Star of India and the defending champions Riverside and both sides did not disappoint as they produces a fine exhibition of football in a heart-stopping 2-2 draw. Riverside were out of their starting blocks in a flash and were 2-0 up by the 15th minute mark when Damion Botha fired home through a cluster of bodies after a goalmouth melee. The nippy Trenton Lyons then slipped in at the far post to net the second with Stars defence in total disarray. Riverside were the bossy team in the first half but matters dramatically took a turn in the second stanza after Stars coach Masinga Simbambane moved Ettiene Saptoe from midfield to the strikers’ role. Saptoe struck twice in a matter of minutes to grab a share of the spoils. The result ensured that Star of India remain at the top.