BCM Stars, Spear of the Nation setting the pace

As the ABC Motsepe League heads down the final straight, things are starting to take shape at the top with BCM Stars and Spear of the Nation the pacesetters in the Eastern Cape.

The province’s amateur sides, who either have three or four matches left, are giving it their all as they chase ambitions of making the playoffs and gaining promotion to the second tier of SA football.

As the league is notoriously known for underhand ways towards the end of the season, the Safa provincial wing has put prevention measures in control and all the remaining games are to be played at the same time, with all matches kicking off at 3pm.

“As a matter of uniformity and to avoid any mischievous conduct by teams you are hereby advised that ALL the last matches of the season will be played simultaneously at 3pm at all the fields,” a communication to all ABC Motsepe League teams said.

“Unfortunately history has taught us the harsh reality of the mischievous practices by teams during this time of the season, hence the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the game.

“This is a normal procedure when the league is approaching the end of the season.”

In the weekend’s action, BCM Stars were back participating in football following suspension by their LFA, Bunkers West LFA.

Since their suspension was lifted, they have been on a roll, winning three games on the spin.

They are on top of Stream B with 32 points after they beat Bush Pirates 3-0.

They are fighting it out with Matta Milan, who are just two points behind BCM Stars.

They defeated Port Elizabeth FC 1-0 to maintain the pressure on the log leaders.

In stream A, Spear of the Nation seem to be the runaway leaders. They have opened an 11-point gap with second-place Sibiya All Stars. Spears have 37 points, and have won 12 times and drawn once in their 13 games.

On Saturday, they beat Subs 1-0 to keep their momentum going. Second-placed Sibiya beat Komani’s Amavarara 2-0.

Bush Bucks, who are in third place, lost 2-1 to Siyanda. Bush Bucks are now on 25 points, one behind Sibiya who have 26.

The weekend’s other results saw PE Stars lose 2-1 to Amampondo United at home. Manchester United played out to a goalless draw with Sinenkani, while Highbury beat Tede United 1-0.

The next round of fixtures will be on Wednesday May 19.

Amampondo United will face Milan, PE Stars take on Manchester United, Port Elizabeth will host Bush Pirates while the other game will be between Sinenkani and Birmingham City.

This is a normal procedure when the league is approaching the end of the season