Match postponed over double-booking
THE crucial Safa-NMB SAB League match between Golden Aces and Fairview Rovers scheduled for the Zwide Stadium on Saturday had to be called off as the field had been booked for a rugby match.
With NMMU Madibaz having already secured the league title by a record margin, Aces and Rovers are locked in the battle for second place as the curtain falls on the season.
“We are very disappointed that such a vital match had to be called off because the field was double-booked,” Rovers coach Brendon Prince said.
“We heard on the grapevine that the match would be played during the week.
“This will definitely not suit us as many of our players work across the metro and depend on taxis for transport.
“It is unfair to expect them to make a dash [from their work] to the field and give of their best. We hope the match is played on Saturday or Sunday.”
Despatch Pioneers secured their berth in the league for next season when they scored a shock 5-3 win over PE Sundowns.
The defeat ended Sundowns’ hopes of finishing second (depending on the result of the Aces-Rovers clash).
Highland Spurs could finish as runners-up following their 2-0 win over Mabayibone Strikers.
Spurs end their season on 50 points. They will have to wait for the outcome of the Aces-Rovers clash to know their final placing.
Despite beating Motherwell Academy 1-0 in their final fixture, Island City could still be relegated. Their fate depends on the number of teams relegated from the ABC Motsepe League.
Results:
Highland Spurs 2 Mabayibone Strikers 0, Despatch Pioneers 5 PE Sundowns 3, Island City 1 Motherwell Academy 0, Golden Aces v Fairview Rovers DNP.
GOLDEN Heroes edged out African Aces 1-0 in a thrilling top-ofthe-table Wafa Premier League match played at the Walmer Community Field on Saturday.
An early goal was enough to keep Heroes at the top of the log.
The teams went into the match level on points but Heroes were ahead on goal difference after thrashing Walmer Stars 10-1 in their opening fixture last month.
Morning Stars, who were tied on points with Heroes and Aces, made light work of the match against Young Aces and scored an easy 5-2 win after leading 3-1 at the break.
Although it is very early in the season, Young Aces could end as one of the also-rans unless there is a vast improvement in their form.
Eleven Experience, who are just two points behind the front runners, scored the biggest win of the day when they thrashed Airport Valley City 5-0.
After Experience scored three times before the half-time whistle, City capitulated, letting in two more in the second half.
With the match between Peace United and Walmer Stars postponed, Experience move into fourth place, ahead of United.
Real Madrid were held to a surprise 2-2 draw by Manchester United who are way down the league table.
Walmer Hotspurs had a bye after Popular were booted out of the league for failing to fulfil their fixtures since the commencement of the season.
Results:
Brazil United 2 Airport Valley United 3, Eleven Experience 5 Airport Valley City 0, Mabayibone Strikers w/o Gwala Stars, Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 2, Morning Stars 5 Young Aces 2, Golden Heroes 1 African Aces 0, Peace United v Walmer Stars pp.