Northerns defeated at home
A goal in each half was good enough for the visiting Randburg-based Top Bet United to clinch a 2 - 0 victory against the Benoni Northerns first team, at the weekend.
Despite the home ground advantage, the men in red were unable to rattle their opposition’s net in spite of a much-improved second half offence.
This win will keep Top Bet United at the top of the ELFA Super League Seniors Division One.
Northerns find themselves mid-table in the league and out of contention for the league title.
Top Bet United showed they are top of the league when they created the most chances of the two sides in the first half.
Their attacking play made work for the Northerns defenders, who were up to the task.
Top Bet pierced the defence and had several chances at scoring, but the Northerns defenders remained resolute and ensured the home fans had something to cheer about by keeping clearing the ball.
In the 25th minute Top Bet reaped the reward for their superior possession when they drew the Northerns goal keeper, Colte Smit, and chipped the ball over his head to open their account, much to the home fans’ displeasure.
At this stage Top Bet united created a few more opportunities, but Northerns stood firm in their defence.
In the 40th minute, Northerns went for goal and hit the cross bar, with the rebound being hit over the woodwork.
At the break, Northerns coach Flavio Mariuzzi told his troops to stick to their game, which definitely inspired the red wave to come fighting in the second 45.
The home team held on to possession, looked threatening with it and played with more purpose.
In spite of Northerns’ vigorous football they were unable to convert.
The Northerns crowd came to life mid-second half when a controversial free kick was awarded to a Top Bet United player, who was deemed to have been fouled by a Northerns player 3m outside the Northerns penalty area.
The crowd became raucous and started question the linesman’s refereeing abilities and reminded him when he made his way down the line.
Fortunately for the home team, the free-kick bore no fruit for Top Bet.
As the sun set, the game heated up when Northerns’ Graeme Turnbull kicked one of the opposition in a brutal tackle.
The benches ran onto the field, but fortunately no fight was started.
He was shown the read and departed for an early shower.
A few minutes later a Top Bet player was shown a yellow card for a fowl, with the crowd screaming to see the red card.
Northerns hearts were broken when Top Bet scored their second goal of the game in the second half.
Northerns were unlucky to not score a few of their own goals and missed several opportunities, with the keeper and defense making desperate saves at times.
Mariuzzi conceded that his side gave the opposition too much space to work with in the first half.
He said his side focused on their strong point of passing the ball on the ground in the second half.
This tactic, he said, created chances for his team who were unlucky not to covert it into points.
The coach was proud of his side overall and said his team will play in the next round of the Super League Cup later this month after beating Corinthians in a fixture on Thursday, last week.
n The Benoni Northerns Reserves beat log-leading Top Bet United on Saturday in a 3 – 3 draw.
Northerns came back from two goals down to clinch the draw.
