Celebrations at Currin Park for Benoni Northerns first side after Derby Day success
Big smiles for Northerns’ first XI after Derby Day success.
The cars pulled into the parking lot by the dozen at Old Bens Sports Club on March 9 for the first Benoni Football Derby of 2019, played between hometown rivals Benoni Northerns (BNFC) and Old Bens football clubs.
The famous old derby has long been a firm fixture favourite on the local sporting calendar with many Benonians having an affiliation to either club.
This particular derby weekend arrived a bit sooner than expected as it was only the second game week of the Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) Super Reserve and Super leagues.
Six goals were scored in the curtain-raising Super Reserve League clash between the second XIs of both clubs with the match culminating in a 3-3 draw.
Northerns, who were 3-1 up at one stage with 10 men on the field, let their lead slip to draw the match.
It was Bens’ second 3-3 drawn result in a row in the league.
In the first team game it was the visiting outfit whose fans were singing at the end after a 4-1 victory at Currin Park.
A converted first half penalty from Northerns’ Sanele ‘Jobe’ Bongakonke gave the visitors the advantage before the halftime break.
In the second stanza a brace of goals from young Northerns forward Kwanda Sokutu put his team in the driver’s seat.
A strike from Bens’ Brandon Stringer gave the home team a glimmer of hope, but as they pressed more Northerns’ managed to sneak in a fourth goal from midfielder Stoaney Moeketsi.
“I thought it was a fair result,” said BNFC coach Jannie van den Berg.
“Both sides played good football and we just seem to have taken our chances a bit better than them.
“My back four were strong and stood their ground well.
“As a collective, we worked very hard, but we still have a long way to go in terms of how I would like us to play.
“It’s a pity for our second side, we were hoping for two wins, but as the first side we’ll take whatever three points we can get.”
Dave Clark, Old Bens’ first-team coach, was disappointed with the result and believed that the officials made a few ‘dodgy offside decisions’ and brushed off two penalty claims from his team.
“It was a good game though.
“I thought we did better in the first half than the second half.
“We went three at the back towards the end and had to push the game on and try to make something happen.
“It was one of those days and we will have to go back to the drawing board.”
Northerns will next play Luso Africa in Primrose on March 16 while Bens will host Alberton at Currin Park on the same day.
The return league Benoni derbies are scheduled for June 15.
CLICK HERE to view a GALLERY of images taken on the day.
LISTEN to Logie G’s Weekend Sports Wrap on Caxton Radio featuring the Benoni Derby:
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