Bust-up mars Northerns, Robertsham clash
The ELFA Super League clash between the Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC) first XI and Robertsham, at Northern Areas on Saturday, May 16, will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
The game, which ended at 3-1 in favour of Robertsham, turned ugly when a fight broke out during the second half, with the score at 2-1.
The away team’s coach/manager had received a red card early on in the game, following some choice words.
Rather than leaving the ground, the recipient sat on the grandstand behind the Northerns technical area and continued to hurl abusive language.
BNFC coach Jannie van den Berg got caught up in the bust-up after his player and son Skyeler was on the receiving end of a number of punches by the Robertsham number 10, who had put in a “leg-breaking” tackle on the Northerns winger previously.
“Instead of walking off the field [upon receiving a red card] he started punching our player,” the coach said.
“I admittedly saw red, too, and lashed out at him in an effort to stop him.
“While that was happening, their goalkeeper ran about 30m and struck me in the back.”
Spectators piled onto the pitch and adrenaline levels were high following the incident.
When action recommenced another Robertsham player was given his marching orders by the referee, after picking up his second yellow card.
Northerns pushed for an equaliser and, with most of their players on attack, the visitors, down to nine men, counter-attacked to score and win the game 3-1.
“As far as the game is concerned, we simply did not pitch up for the races in the first half,” said van den Berg.
“We knuckled down and worked hard to get back into it in the second half, but the unfortunate incidents didn’t help our cause.”
Commenting on the fight he said: “I am not proud of what I did and do not condone my actions.
“The bad element from the sidelines agitated everybody and fuelled the fire.”
When questioned about the prospect of disciplinary action, he added: “Whatever the consequences are, I will accept them.
“We, however, do not accept blatant thuggery on the football pitch.”
The City Times, on Monday, May 18, requested comment from the ELFA, regarding the incident and subsequent disciplinary procedures.
