Kempton FC firsts break Benoni Northerns hoodoo

WITH an extremely poor record against Benoni Northerns in recent times and with both their first and reserve sides in second place on the log, Kempton Park Football Club were well aware of the challenge that faced them at Northern Areas on Saturday.

The first team started well and dominated possession without making any real chances before a long free kick was launched into their penalty area. The ball wasn’t cleared and sat up perfectly for Northerns striker Kwanda to volley home from the left – the ball jamming between the stanchion and the net.

Ten minutes later Kempton were two down. Another long ball was pounced upon by Kwanda who beat Quenn Hartridge on the left and sweetly struck his left footed drive beyond Dean Workman in the Kempton goal.

Kempton persevered and Dion Homela, who won every aerial challenge all day on working his way to the man of the match award, began spraying passes, releasing forwards Ziv Verenga and Warren Gardner. One such pass put Verenga through on goal but his scuffed shot was easily collected by Rowan, the tending Northerns goal.

Gardner played a neat one-two with Humphrey Botupelo and hurtled down the left before cutting in past his marker. He probably should have taken the shot himself but unselfishly squared to Verenga who uncharacteristically fired straight into the keepers legs.

Hartridge went close with a powerful header that just passed the left hand upright and a Grant Terrey’s free kick was scrambled to safety.

On the stroke of half time, Homela fed Thando Mbasa on the right and his cross was mis-timed by Ociano Pretorius and easily saved by Rowan. Northerns only chance came when a shot was athletically cleared off the line by a flying Byron Jarman.

The break came with Kempton on top but still two goals down.

After half time Kempton went on an all-out attack. Verenga hit a free kick into the wall and Gardner failed to latch on to a Homela long ball. Northerns broke down their left and in the havoc that ensued in the penalty area, a shirt was tugged, a theatrical fall was produced and a penalty was awarded.

Brogan from Northerns stepped up and fired down the middle of the goal with Workman diving to his right. Northerns celebrated but a player had encroached into the penalty area and referee Trevor Dube ordered a retake.

An identical set of circumstances prevailed but without the encroachment and Northerns found themselves three goals to the good 10 minutes into the second half.

Seemingly unworried, Kempton launched into a series of attacks. Former Highlands Park player Verenga received the ball just outside the penalty and his fizzing right-footed strike inside the left hand post left the Northerns net minder unmoved and picking the ball out of the net. Three minutes later it was 3-2.

Verenga collected a short pass from substitute Tendai Marova who was making his debut for the club. In the blink of an eye he had turned defender Wade inside out before firing a bullet of a drive into the bottom left hand side of the Northerns goal.

It was all Kempton now and Marova was on hand to calmly side-foot home after Botupela had caused mayhem among the Northerns defence.

Now it was the home team’s chance to attack. A long ball left was collected by a seemingly offside winger who centred for Kwanda to complete his hat-trick and put Kempton 4-3 down.

Kempton were rewarded when a blatant hand ball blocked a shot and a penalty was awarded. Jarman made no mistake at levelling things. A minute later, the game was over and Kempton had secured a four all draw, their first away point at Northerns in 10 years.

The second team turned around last week’s dismal performance at Olympia by beating their opponents 2-0 in an exciting encounter.

After a goalless first half, Kempton took control in the second half and dominated proceedings. Rodwel Mtamwira at right back and Nathi in midfield were stand out players.

The first goal came when Rudolph Komape swapped passes with Mikey Lemphale and easily slotted beyond the Northerns goalkeeper. Komape scored again when Given Maredi flew down the left before crossing the perfect ball for Komape to finish at the back post.

Komape could have had a third but his chip over the spread-eagled goalie came off the post. Late on Thabani Masilela unleashed a fierce shot the goalkeeper did well to push onto the crossbar.

The next game is at home on July 6 versus Highlands Park, followed by another home encounter against Luso Africa on July 15.

The third team beat Olympia 5-1 to secure their opening victory of the season.