Blowout punctures Milford’s cup run

A DISASTROUS three goals in as many minutes put paid to any hopes Milford FC might have had of causing another giant-killing Nedbank Cup upset.

Having held out despite being heavily outgunned until Devin

Titus scored in the 20th minute, the Stallions conceded again after 34 minutes, this time courtesy of an Anicet Oura strike (2-0).

However, Menzi Chili applied the finishing touches after a superb run and cross by skipper Siphosethu Ndlabi shortly before the half time whistle was due, to make it 2-1.

One goal is no insurance, especially in a cup game, and

Milford coach Dr Xanti Pupuma must have thought there was a bit of light for his boys.

Alas, Stellies grabbed another one in added time of the first period, with Ouro calmly stroking the ball into the top corner, to stretch it to

3-1 as the sides headed into the tunnel.

They would strike again twice in the first two minutes of the second stanza, both courtesy of Andre de Jong and suddenly it was 5-1.

Both his goals were the result of Milford players gifting possession through poor passing and bad decision-making, a trait they displayed throughout the encounter.

This undermined the many things they got right, especially in midfield where there was loads of honest toil and passion.

To their credit, the Stallions never gave up and played some of their best football in the final stages of the game.

That is, until another suicidal loss of possession allowed substitute Mervin Boji to net and take the score to 6-1, a score which is as one-sided in a soccer match as it would be in a tennis set.

Despite not getting through to the last eight of the competition, Milford’s amazing defeat of the mighty Kaizer Chiefs in the previous round can never be erased from the record books.