Junior football played like professionals

IT’S not every day that junior footballers get a run out at the Chatsworth Stadium.

Last Saturday, SAFA Chatsworth opted to stage the Local Football Association’s (LFA) Junior FA Cup finals at the “home of football” in the region.

The LFA’S best young players got the opportunity to experience the game on an immaculate pitch, fit for top flight club football.

Bayview United emerged as the big winners on the day, winning the three divisional finals they featured in.

In a cracking show of end-to-end football, United won the under-13 final by beating Montford Heights 3-2.

Their under under-15 outfit needed penalties to beat Meadford Sporting, after the game ended 1-1 after normal time.

Meanwhile, their under-17 team beat the counterparts from Meadford Sporting 1-0.

“It’s an outstanding achievement for Bayview United,” club public relations officer, Gary Moodley, said.

“Our driving force is always to add value to the lives of children of Chatsworth. These boys have a come a long way and we are very proud of them,” Moodley added.

In the senior FA Cup final, Summerfield Dynamos beat Sunset United on penalties, after the teams were deadlocked after regulation time.

United started the better of the two teams with exciting young striker, Lincoln Da Silva’s tricky runs causing Dynamos plenty of trouble at the back.

In the 15th minute, Da Silva hit a powerful low drive which hit defender, Sashen Pillay, and deflected past goalkeeper, Nzuzo Gwala, into the net.

It proved to be a short-lived lead for United as Dynamos hit back just four minutes later, through their captain, Melvan Pillay. It was a goal which shifted the momentum.

Dynamos’ attackers made regular incursions into United’s penalty area but wasted numerous goalscoring chances. A combination of poor finishing and good defending kept the scoreline level.

With two minutes remaining, Pillay had another chance but his shot hit the crossbar, this after a telling run from his own half. The rebound fell for striker, Talent Magwaza, whose shot also hit the woodwork.

In the penalty shootout, Nzuzo made two stunning saves to help Dyanamos win 4-2.

“After our dominance, one could have easily thought that it wouldn’t go our way in the shootout. The boys put in major effort and they thoroughly deserved the win,” said Dynamos’ secretary, Vasu Pillay.

“After finishing as runners-up in the league, this is the kind of redemption we needed. We had a wonderful season and it is now time for a good break for everyone.”