Derby bragging rights now belong to Old Bens
As always there was intense interest in Saturday’s famous Benoni Football Derby between Benoni Northerns (BNFC) and Old Benonians football clubs.
Not for the first time Benoni’s much-loved sports presenter Duran Collett hyped up the match on 5FM and many Benonians responded to his call to gather en masse at Northern Areas on Saturday, May 27 for the Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) Super League encounter between the two foes of old, separated by a mere 2.1km.
It would be Old Bens who would claim the first Derby Day bragging rights of the season at Northerns’ home ground for the first time in many moons.
Coach Raymond Cloete’s team celebrated a 3-1 victory over their rivals in what was a fiercely contested affair.
Bens’ reserve team had earlier set the tone for the afternoon with a 4-2 win over Northerns’ second XI and it was up to Cloete’s men to make it a clean sweep for Old Bens on the day.
It was, however, the Northerns faithful who were celebrating first, courtesy of an early goal from BNFC’s talented young striker and Wordsworth High School pupil Kwanda Sokutu.
Their joy was short-lived when midfielder Steven Webster struck the ball past Rowen Viljoen in the Northerns goal to level the score at 1-1.
Mere minutes later Kagiso Otlile “Gee” More extended the Old Bens lead after he found himself on the end of a well-delivered deep free-kick to send the away fans into hysteria.
The teams would go into the half-time break with the score 2-1 in favour of Bens.
In the second stanza coach Jannie van den Berg’s BNFC outfit put the foot flat on the accelerator and bombarded the Old Bens defensive structures.
Long throw-ins from young defender Matthew Welgemoed seemed to be the method of choice for Northerns to get the goal, but Bens’ defence held firm throughout the half to prevent Northerns from scoring past Dale Skinner in the Old Bens net.
Almost against the run of play and as the match neared completion, Bens’ midfielder Sibusiso “Xavi” Mkhwanazi was brought down in the BNFC penalty area.
Nkululeko “Shoes” Makhubo stepped up to the spot and calmly placed the ball past Viljoen to ensure that the three points went back to Currin Park.
Cloete told the City Times that it was “a tough game that could have gone either way”.
“Northerns caught us sleeping with that early goal, but the boys did well to respond straight away and then to get another soon after,” he said.
“It was a great game with decent officiating and a terrific crowd and atmosphere.
“There were excellent saves from both goalkeepers too.”
The Old Bens coach added that the win was “a long time coming at their grounds”.
Despite the bragging rights that come with winning a local derby Cloete said that getting the three points was his only concern.
He praised his BNFC counterpart van den Berg for the work he and his team are doing in the league.
“We played well and our game plan seemed to be working well when we got the early goal,” said van den Berg.
“Two silly defensive mistakes cost us two goals.
“They defended really well and were difficult to break down.
“The derby was played in a good spirit and it was a lovely day overall.”
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images taken during the second and first team Benoni Derby matches.
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
