First football matches held at Northerns

On March 18, the Benoni Northerns Sports Club, or Northerns as they are fondly known, held their first match for the league with the reserves playing first and finishing the evening off with the first team.

The reserves played against Alberton FC with a final score of 3-1 to Northerns, and the first team 1-1 also against Alberton FC.

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According to coach Enrique Juanas-Uriol, the reserves game was most exciting.

“There was lots of action within this game,” he said.

“The two young sides were going at one another, playing some quality football with fantastic goals coming from both teams, as well as some top-notch saves given from both goalkeepers.”

Northerns scored first every time, only for Alberton to equalise soon thereafter.

“The decisive moment came halfway through the second half,” he said.

“Northerns defence was put under pressure towards the end but stood firm to hold onto their slender lead and take the three points on the night.

“Given that our league has resumed from where we left off from last year, the results from those two league matches played in 2020 stand.

“This result makes it three wins out of three for our reserves.”

The first team’s game played out very well and according to Juanas-Uriol, it was well-organised with the Alberton team being very disciplined with a solid playing structure.

“With a solid playing structure coming from Alberton, it made things difficult for us to break them down in the first half,” he explained.

“Northerns conceded a goal from a free-kick and went into the break, one-nil down.

“We came out strong in the second half after changing formation and were able to get back to level terms shortly thereafter.

“One could say it was a game of two halves as they dominated the first half and us the second.”

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The score was a fair reflection, according to the coaches.

“It was two evenly matched sides who fought for a hard-earned point,” he said.

“We have now played three, won two and drawn one, taking into account last year’s games.”

Coaches Enrique Juanas-Uriol, Len Van Rooyen and George Poulos are all very proud of the teams and are excited for the next few matches to come.

“We are very happy with both our sides given this being the first official league match in a year and we will continue to work hard and no doubt improve as the season goes on,” concluded Juanas-Uriol.