Durban Central oldies earn their stripes
DURBAN Central hammered Umlazi 3-0 to win the Golden Oldies Over-50 Knockout-Cup in Reservoir Hills last Sunday.
Central, who boasted a number of former Federation Professional League players, took the lead in the 10th minute and never looked back.
Midfielder Pride Pillay danced his way into the box and fired a low, powerful strike beyond the opposition goalkeeper to hand his side the advantage. Five minutes later, ex-Berea man Braemer Amos was on hand to score after good build-up work.
It was a goal that got a decent crowd at the Sirpat Road grounds going and victory for Central started to look certain. They got their third goal thanks to Rocky Naidoo.
Umlazi threw numbers forward in the second half but were unable to break down the Central team.
“Our guys may be a bit older, but that competitive spirit is still there,” said former Durban Aces player Ronnie Moodley.
He was delighted to watch team-mates roll back the years as they reminisced about playing in competitions like the Mainstay and Clover Cups.
“We played well in the final,” he said. “We knocked the ball around. You could see that the spectators enjoyed it. There was some real carpet football.”
Central beat Phoenix and Inanda in the group stages before beating KwaMashu in the semi-finals on penalties.
Moodley admits the team was tired by the end of the day, but felt their large squad was the key to their success. “We assembled a good group of former pros and talented amateur players from Reservoir Hills, Effingham, Sydenham and Overport.
“We rotated the players in the second half but kept our core. We gave everyone the chance to play. The level of fitness among the guys is good.”
Tournament director Reggie Inderlal was pleased with the progress of the tournament in four years. “It has grown from strength to strength. Last week’s tournament was a good spectacle.
“We have grown to eight teams and there is still demand from other sides. We need corporate support so we can continue to grow. The eThekwini Department of Sport and Recreation came on board to assist us with the last tourney and we are grateful for that.”