Seagulls face tricky opening hurdle
Cliffie Brown/Leon Meyer Easter Football Tournament defending champions, Seagulls expect their opening game against Swaraj to be a battle for the ages.
But Seagulls coach Sheldon Marrilier and his team are confident they can match any side in the weekend-long tournament starting on Friday at North End Stadium.
Marrilier said both teams beefed up their squads when the league started this season and that was going to make matters difficult for them, especially since they were going to come up against a dominant team like Swaraj in the opening encounter.
Last year Seagulls became the fourth North End football club in history to win the Easter Football Tournament main prize three times, following in the footsteps of Saints (16 cup wins), Bluebells (seven) and Merchants (three).
Seagulls beat Parkside United 2-0 in last year’s final at a packed North End Stadium to claim the third edition of the Cliffie Brown/Leon Meyer Memorial Platinum trophy.
“We are feeling great because we are in top form and we are happy with our opening game because we are playing Swaraj and they haven’t lost a single game and they’ve also won our top eight competition,” said Marrilier.
“Basically they’ve started the season like we did last year when we won everything. So we love the challenge because they are the team to beat.
“And we, as the defending champions, have to show why we are the champions.”
Seagulls had a good run in the East London Central LFA Premier league last season – finishing second on the log, while Swaraj were fourth.
Marrilier said having the likes of Cuan Benny and brother Ronaldo, with Sheldon Stevens had made the campaign more manageable for him.
He said he was confident they could secure move to the next stage of the competition.
“I have many talented players in my team, in defence we have Etienne Saptoe and upfront I know I can rely on Jose Shaw who has agility.
“There are many guys that we’ve signed for this season, like Saptoe who’s a very experienced defender. Stevens is also experienced and a very technical player,” he said.
“He’s brilliant with free-kicks and with Cuan Benny I know his very fast.”
Marrilier strongly believes his campaign will be boosted by two former Chippa United Reserves players Ronaldo Benson and Markham Meyers.
“They are quick on the ball too. They’ve got everything – skill, they’ve got strength.
“And then we have Shorty Makoti, Marko van Wyk, he’s a complete player, with those guys in my team I’m confident we can win this game.”
Marrilier admitted Swaraj had all the right talent in their squad who have played at a higher level – like Sherwin Smith who’s been with NFD’s Blackburn Rovers – but still was confident they would emerge winners.
“My defenders are prepared for Sherwin and all the other experienced guys at Swaraj including Alistair Visagie.
“They’ve got agility but we have made plans for them so that we can be able to tame them.
“So we are basically mentally and physically prepared for this game and all the players know each other and that’s why it’s going to be an interesting game,” said Marrilier.
We have Etienne Saptoe and upfront I know I can rely on Jose Shaw