Bluebirds are trounced in the Alex Northrand derby of the Sasol Women’s League

Off the field shenanigans did not dampen Croesus Ladies’ resolve as they proved to be real championship material when they trounced neighbours Bluebirds Ladies 2–1 on 27 October.

The victory in the Alex Northrand derby of the Sasol Women’s League followed an all-important away 1–1 draw to multiple championship winners Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, to keep their title hopes intact. This was a match that the Greek Queens, as Croesus are fondly known, could have easily bagged all three points had they been clinical in front of the goals. The Greek Queens played two matches in a row against Sundowns, one of which they lost 2–1 at home but regrouped and recovered quickly to earn the vital point.

The derby kicked off late at the grounds of Northview High School after the referee arrived more than an hour late in a match that had been scheduled to kick-off at 1pm. This was after numerous frantic calls to the South African Football Association by the home team, Croesus. The referee eventually arrived at 2.15pm and the teams opted to play 20 minutes each half because the booking of the field lapsed at 3pm.

The Greek Queens were the first to find the back of the net in just six minutes of play through Thobile Ngubeni but the Beautiful Birds, as Bluebirds are known to their avid fans in Alexandra, replied in just under 10 minutes to level the score.

This beautifully taken goal came from the ever dependable Nyatama Mnguni but their celebrations were short-lived as Marry Ntsweng restored the Greek Queens’ lead on the stroke of halftime from a well-taken free kick on the edge of the box.

In the second half, the Greek Queens could have easily increased their lead had they not fluffed a number of good scoring opportunities.

The same went for the Birds who also wasted a number of scoring chances which could have scuppered the Greek Queens’ title-chasing aspirations.