The ELFA U-15 Super League tie was played at the junior Blues’ home base at Prince George Park.
The Blues enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory throughout the match but resolute defense and an astute counter-attack game by the organised visitors quelled them.
The half-time score was 1-1, with Boksburg’s Bonokuhle Moloi opening the game’s scoring before Alberton’s forward show began, particularly in the second half.
Booysen was handed a chance of extending his team’s lead in their first real chance of the second stanza but the home side survived.
The strong No.9 timed his run perfectly to gather a perfectly weighted through pass from midfield but dragged his shot across the face of goal.
The game suddenly opened up and it was Boksburg’s turn to try and hit the back of the net just moments later. Right attacking midfielder Rudean Peters, who was a handful himself for the Alberton defence, showed some skill to create space for himself to shoot before pulling the trigger from the edge of the 18-area.
The Alberton goalkeeper, however, punched the stinging effort away.
The see-saw action continued and Alberton’s Upton could’ve doubled his side’s lead with a chance in front of the Boksburg goal but hoofed his shot above the crossbar.
Alberton were on the attack again moments later, with the two forwards combining.
After shrugging a few challenges on the right wing, Booysen delivered a delicious cross begging to be tapped in by Upton but the latter mistimed his desperate slide finish.
Booysen also missed a similar opportunity to the one he missed in the early stages of the second half, again dragging his shot across the face of goal. His strength and off-the-ball movement proved too much for the Blues’ defence.
“I think it was a fair result,” said Boksburg coach Ernest Seforo.
“We created chances but couldn’t convert.”
Seforo’s opposite number, Richard Ferreira, praised his team’s performance.
“It was a good result against a good Boksburg side. We’ll take it and look forward to our next game.”
Seforo was also in charge of the Blues’ senior team which lost 4-2 at home to Luso Africa in a Super League match. – @SabeloBoksburg