Eastern City takes a knock against Simunye FC
The Lawaaikamp soldiers, Simunye Football Club, put on an excellent show when they knocked down Eastern City 3-1 in a Safa Eden Hollywoodbets Regional League encounter on Sunday afternoon, 18 February at the Lawaaikamp Stadium. Siyabonga Miggels, Mtandazo Snaap and Shane-Lee Windvogel netted the goals for the Lawaaikamp boys, while Nkosinathi Thomas scored the solitary goal for the Thembalethu based-side Eastern City. The sensational centre mid, Sihle "Giggs" van Rensburg, was the star player of the day, displaying excellent touches on the ball to create more space for his team.
Simunye FC is currently fighting for the top three position in the regional league. So far, they have played fifteen league fixtures with nine wins, one draw and five losses, earning 28 points. The Thembalethu representatives, Eastern City FC, are sitting in a precarious position at the bottom half of the log table. For Eastern City to survive in the regional league they need to win more home games.
Simunye started the game playing the ball on the ground with the speedy Hlomla Ngaphi attacking on the left side of the field, but his ball was blocked by Eastern City right back Nkosomzi September.
Both teams were playing beautiful touches on the ball with Simunye FC employing their strength in the centre of the field. Thozamile Senzele of Eastern City delivered a powerful cross inside the box, but his team mate failed to control the ball inside the box. Simunye launched a dangerous attack on the right side of the field, leading to a corner kick. They made the best of the opportunity, playing an excellent cross inside the box to score their first goal. Eastern City were awarded with a free kick outside the box, but their shot went straight to Simunye FC goalkeeper
Nkosikhona Moss. Simunye received a penalty after an Eastern City defender handled the ball inside the box in the last minutes of the first half. Mtandazo Snaap made no mistake and netted the penalty to make it 2-0. Eastern City retaliated with smart moves going forward into the box, but they failed to break through the stubborn defence of Simunye. Simunye was leading 2-0 at the end of the first half.
The second half of the game saw both teams looking very positive on the ball with Eastern City fighting for their first goal. Eastern City received a free kick, but it was cleared away by the Simunye back line. Siyabonga Miggels of Simunye missed his chance when he failed to beat the Eastern City goalkeeper inside the box. Sihle van Rensburg of Simunye, who was displaying great movement around the field, managed to send a world-class pass to Athenkosi Mahala, but Mahala's shot went wide.
The Simunye FC striker Siyabonga Miggels hit the woodwork with his powerful strike after a good cross played in by Athenkosi Mahala from the right side of the field. Simunye capitalised on poor communication between the Eastern City players who failed to clear the ball after a corner kick, scoring an easy third goal to make it 3-0. Eastern City were fighting to get their first goal and had small consolation when Nkosinathi Thomas scored to make it 3-1. Play went on, but no more opportunities were converted and Simunye went home with the bragging rights after a 3-1 victory in their own backyard that earned them maximum points.
Simunye FC is currently fighting for the top three position in the regional league.
Safa Eden Regional League weekend results: Sunday 18 February
In George
Eastern City 1-3 Simunye
In Mossel Bay
Peace Makers 1-0 Thembu Royals Benfica 1-1 Sea Birds