Northerns win first home game of the season

The feel-good mood is back at Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC).

This was evident when the senior team claimed 2-0 in their Eastern Super League match against Alberton on April 1.

They won it on passion, desire, hunger and motivation and the crowd revelled in watching their new side notch up a win in their first match at home this season.

For a side that has notched-up four wins from five games, there’s much to celebrate, considering where they were at this stage last season.

Invigorated by the injection of young players who have given the side more depth, elegance and hunger to win and with their new coach Andrew Kelly, they play an attractive brand of football that can turn foes into admirers.

“We are playing a different style than Benoni has seen in a while. It’s attractive and high-paced,” said Kelly.

And it’s hard to argue with Kelly when he says they are genuine contenders for the league title because beating tough teams such as Luso Africa and Alberton in successive weeks will fire a warning to rivals.

“I would say we are contenders. I don’t concentrate too much on every single game leading up. We are contenders, but there’s still a long way to go. Let’s see how the rest of the season goes.”

Alberton played with all their flair and elegance, fluidity in attack and ability to re-organise and get back into shape after losing the ball made this an exciting contest.

They didn’t take their beating lying down because when Northerns had their first sniff at goal, which the keeper saved with his legs, the turnover was so quick that it almost resulted in a goal of their own.

The home side exerted their influence and took control of the game, using the pace of their speedy wingers.

They were rewarded when the unmarked Ludick Malele coolly headed in a cross-whip from the right by Phillip Chikukwa.

Alberton’s long balls to their tall target man amounted to nothing as he mostly found himself isolated and when he did have a chance, the Northerns defenders quickly dealt with him.

Deep in the second stanza, Nkululeko Makhubo doubled Northerns’ lead after pouncing on Calvin Ntsieng’s blocked shot.

The match ended with the home side collecting all three points and a third on the log with 12 points, level with second-placed Sporting and only a point behind hometown rivals Old Bens.

“It was a good game. I felt there were areas where we played a lot slower than what we used. But overall, I’m happy with the boys for putting in another excellent performance in our first home game,” Kelly said.

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