Old Bens draw in Katlehong
After missing out on qualifying for a South African Breweries (SAB) Regional League team last week, Old Bens Football Club’s first XI returned to Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) Super League action on July 15.
The team travelled to Katlehong to play Zwide United and drew 1-1 while the reserve side also drew on with a score of 4-4.
With regular First team coach Raymond Cloete away in Sweden, where he is coaching the club’s u-11 side at the Gothia Cup, his son Jethson took the reins as a player-coach during the clash.
Conditions at Huntersfield Stadium were not ideal with a strong wind blowing through the stadium.
“We took the lead after about 15 minutes of play through some great football down the left-hand side of the park,” said Jethson.
Left-back Sifundo “Miri” Sibanyoni scored the opening goal for Bens.
“We were on top of the game in the first half and missed some opportunities that would later come back to haunt us.
“Going into the break we had the majority of the play with Zwide on the back foot and defending the first 45 minutes.
“With the turn of the half and the wind now against us, we knew the game would be played in our half and it would require 45 minutes of concentration.
“My team talk was for us to rather play ‘ugly football’ and to try to keep the ball in the opposition’s half,” added Jethson.
He said all was going to plan until about the 70th minute when a ball was played into their box, but the opportunity to clear the ball was not taken resulting in a missed kick falling perfectly for the Zwide striker in the box, to draw the game level.
“Both teams had chances in the last 20 minutes of the game, going all out for the three points.
“I am happy to have walked away with a draw as we had five starting players missing on the day which made it difficult to play guys in their regular positions,” added Jethson.
“I had to play the full 90 minutes, which made it difficult to call the shots from the field and constant communication with our assistant coach Jason Steyn was not an easy task.”
Old Bens face tough competition on July 22 against Kempton Park at Currin Park.
Kempton Park have not lost a game in their last five games against formidable teams in the Super League.
The club’s reserve side will open proceedings at 1.45pm which will be followed by the first team encounter at 3.30pm.
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