Central pin colours to mast with great finales at North End

EAST London Central Local Football Association brought its blue, red and white curtain down on an exciting 2017 senior league season over the weekend at North End Stadium.

It was fitting to see the blue and whites of Buffalo Flats-based Riverside and Millan, the Scenery Parkbased red and whites, were the clubs to lift the prestigious fifth edition Premier League and second edition of the John Korkie-sponsored First Division league championships.

Prior to their final fixture against Seagulls on Sunday Riverside had already clinched the premier league championship but were hoping to round their season off in style with a win. Seagulls, on the other hand, needed victory to secure the runnersup spot after Star of India were awarded the points earlier when Napoli could not fulfil their fixture against the latter. Riverside proved their championship credentials with a superb all-round performance as Rynaldo Benny and a late winner from midfield talisman Cuan Benny earned the newly crowned champions a 2-1 win.

Despite a sublime hattrick from Swaraj keeper-cum-striker Bernito Rayners was unable to prevent his side from going down 5-3 to archrivals Parkside United in an eightgoal thriller. Conquerors secured their premier league status after beating Atlantic Spurs 2-1 while Brothers of Peace qualified for the 2018 Premier Top 8 after their 4-3 win over already relegated Saints.

In arguably one of the most exciting league fixtures at North End this year Millan earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Imonti Christian Centre in there league decider that was enough to clinch the First Division league championship and promotion to the 2018 premier league. It was end to end stuff with Imonti Christian Centre twice taking the lead through goals from Siyanda Mondi and Thuso Mbhana only to be let down by defensive calamities conceding two penalties on either side of halftime which was duly converted by the ever-reliable Sinothando Mqikela.

It was heartbreak for the Fort Hare-based side in an absorbing encounter when gifted Millan an equaliser in added time. Other First Division results were: Brothers of Peace U20 finished third and qualified for the 2018 Premier Top 8 competition after a 1-1 v Riverside U20; Leeds United 2 Central United 1; Diaroma United 2 Real Dukashe 1.