New striker bags four for Old Bens

Bens, who went unbeaten in the now defunct ELFA Super League Division Two, last year, got their new campaign off to a decent start by picking up a point in a hard-fought 4-4 draw with Highlands.

It was a day in which new striker Hajee Mohammed made an instant impact – much to the delight of Old Bens coach Raymond Cloete.

Mohammed put the ball in the back of the opposition net on four occasions, to ensure a draw against one of the toughest teams in the league.

During the match it was the hosts who started well, by playing some dynamic one-touch football that caught the team from Benoni on the back-foot when, within the first six minutes, a deflection off an Old Bens centre back saw the team go 1-0 down.

Six minutes later, however, the quick Lesiba Modau played a terrific through ball to Mohammed, who beat the Highlands goalkeeper to level matters at 1-1.The game continued at a fast pace and, about 20 minutes after his first strike, Mohammed found the ball from a long, defensive clearance and stuck it into the back of the Highlands net, to give his team the lead at 2-1.

With about three minutes remaining in the first stanza, Highlands Park received a penalty, which was described by Cloete as “dubious”.

The kick from the spot was converted and the teams would go into the break with two goals apiece.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with both teams playing good, one-touch football.

Eventual Man of the Match Mohommed continued his rampage on the Highlands defensive structures, by completing his hat-trick with a brilliant individual goal that gave his team the lead for the second occasion in the game.

He made it 4-2 about 10 minutes later, when he combined well with Mohammed Brand, with a wonderful one-two move that split the defence in half to achieve his fourth goal of the encounter.

With about six minutes remaining in the match, Old Bens defenders made two defensive errors that were pounced on by Highlands, as they snatched the win from Bens to make it 4-4.

Despite the defensive blunders from his team, Cloete was happy with the way his players adapted themselves to their first game in a higher league, especially as usual defender and skipper Dale Skinner stood-in for first-choice gloveman Matt Carter.

“With a little more composure and mental strength we should have won the game 4-2,” Cloete said.

On Saturday, Old Bens play their first game of the season at Currin Park, with a 3.30pm kick-off against Kempton Park.