Bens hold onto number one spot

After receiving the full three points against Springs Old Boys, last week, the ELFA Super League Seniors Division Two table-toppers, Old Bens FC’s first XI, travelled to Sandton on Saturday, July 12, to take on Varsity College.

With four regular first-teamers out of action, coach Ray Cloete had to rely on the full might of the 16-player squad at his disposal.

The first half began with Old Bens dominating the possession, while some good saves from the Varsity College goalkeeper kept them from scoring early on.

The opposition side countered with pace and skill, but were unable to breach the Bens’ defence.

Five minutes before the break it was Thamsanqu Hlatshwayo who crossed the ball into the College penalty area and found Keneilwe Masuku, who lobbed the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

The half came to an end with Old Bens one goal to the good.

Coach Cloete shuffled his midfield around early into the second stanza and this proved to be beneficial, as the visitors scored almost immediately.

The goal came from an unusual route, one kick from Bens’ goalkeeper Matt Carter, that was latched onto on the volley by Masuku for his second goal of the game.

At 2-0, the team from Benoni seemed to relax and College played some good one-two football and bagged their first goal.

Their goal pushed the league leaders into overdrive and Eduardo Mendes found the net for Bens’ third goal of the encounter.

Mendes made a great run, cut through the College defence and slotted the ball into the corner of the goal.

About 10 minutes from time a well rehearsed free kick saw Jethson Cloete drive the ball into the near post, with John Maseema toeing it into the net to take the score to 4-1.

In the final minute of the game, College were awarded a dubious penalty and scored their second goal of the game, to end the match at 4-2.

Cloete praised his midfielders and defenders for a strong showing, as well as striker Lesiba Modau who caused endless problems for the Varsity College side.