12 August 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem, feature photo courtesy of Hannah Shirley)
On Saturday, the Kearsney College 1st XI hosted St. Charles College, in a rematch of their game in the Primo Big 10. In that clash, they had shared a goalless draw, so their meeting was, in a way, a tiebreaker.
At Hilton College, where the Primo Big 10 was hosted, the contest, a playoff game, should have gone to the penalty spot. It was running late, however, and so it was decided to share the spoils.
Playing at home, the hosts got off to a great start with a second minute goal. It began with Mvelo Mkhize poking the ball past his marker. He then gassed him, collected the ball, and dribbled away from the chasing defenders.
When the ‘keeper came out to meet him, Mkhize had ice in his veins. He slowed down, then lofted the ball over the net-minder for an elegant opener.
In the 20th minute, Kearsney played the ball down the left flank, and they were quickly in on goal. However, a desperate tackle took out the player and prevented a shot. The referee pointed to the spot.
Simnene Khubeka walked up to the ball, paused for a second, then buried it into the bottom right-hand corner. The ‘keeper guessed the right way, but he wasn’t able to reach it in time.
Only two minutes later, Kearsney had a third. It began with a long ball being played out from the back. When it bounced high over the Saints’ centre-back, the home side was through on goal again and a neat chip over the goalkeeper made it 3-0, with Mkhize scoring his second.
St. Charles responded after half-an-hour with a cracking goal from centre-forward Kwanele Nqayi. He received the ball 25 metres out from goal, gave it a faint flick, then struck it on the bounce. Spinning like a torpedo, it swerved towards the top right-hand corner. There was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop it. The net shook and the quiet crowd erupted into an approving roar, while the players looked on in awe.
Saints had struggled to maintain possession in the first half. They required better positioning, as they often allowed Kearsney the opportunity for an intercept. Kearsney, meanwhile, played with a strong intensity, which made their quick counterattacks dangerous, and credit to the Greyhounds’ forwards, they finished clinically.
Halftime-score: 3-1 in favour of the hosts.
The second half was a tense battle, filled with many fouls and substitutes as a result of fatigue. St Charles made a game of it by scoring in the 48th minute to pull to within a goal at 2-3 down. After a series of short passes, the ball was crossed low from the left-wing, past the Kearsney defenders. The shot came in from close range, but the ‘keeper pulled off a fine save, only for the ball to balloon up and the Saints’ striker headed home. A Saints’ comeback looked possible.
However, within a minute of the kick-off Kearsney was awarded a penalty, when a sliding tackle took out the legs of the right wing. Up stepped Mkhize with an opportunity for a hattrick. He fired towards the top left corner. However, the Saints’ goalkeeper pulled off an incredible fingertip save to deny him a third goal.
Kearsney scored a clinching goal in the 54th minute with a beautifully struck goal across the goalkeeper from out wide on the right. It was hit hard and with precision and it sealed a win for the hosts.
Final score: 4-2 in favour of Kearsney.
St. Charles played with more intensity and better positioning in the second half. They gave short passes in small triangles, rather than risking intercepts with long balls out wide. Kearsney, meanwhile, continued playing with a quick intensity, which made them a threat on the counterattack. Ultimately, they did enough to secure a solid victory.
There was good competition up and down the age groups, with neither school managing a clean sweep in those age groups. Kearsney picked up 11 victories, Saints won five matches, and there were just two draws.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 4-2 St Charles
2nd: Kearsney 1-1 St Charles
3rd: Kearsney 1-1 St Charles
4th: Kearsney 1-2 St Charles
5th: Kearsney 5-0 St Charles
16A: Kearsney 3-0 St Charles
16B: Kearsney 1-3 St Charles
16C: Kearsney 1-2 St Charles
16E: Kearsney 3-0 St Charles u16D
15A: Kearsney 4-0 St Charles
15B: Kearsney 3-0 St Charles
15C: Kearsney 1-2 St Charles
15E: Kearsney 7-3 St Charles u15D
14A: Kearsney 3-1 St Charles
14B: Kearsney 1-3 St Charles
14C: Kearsney 2-1 St Charles
14D: Kearsney 2-0 St Charles
14F: Kearsney 1-0 St Charles u14E
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