Midrand United gets a league match walk-over victory but loses friendly against Blue Galatians
The visitors didn't have enough players with registered league cards, so they were forced to forfeit the match.
While Midrand United U11 suffered an unfortunate 2-0 loss to Blue Galatians during a friendly match on June 3, their walk-over win against the latter gave them the maximum three points they needed for in the league.
The Rand Central Local Football Association league encounter that was supposed to kick off at Halfway House Primary School saw Galatians unable to provide a full squad of players with registered league cards, so they were forced to forfeit the match.
A friendly match between the two sides, however, was played and Galatians were able to secure victory after Kelan Walters and Bongi Mathabane both scored to secure a victory for the visitors.
Galatians created the first opportunity when Aiedan Evertse shot straight at United keeper Liam Morolong.
The visitors were rarely threatened in the first half, and coach Lindokuhle Dlamini’s boys wrapped up the victory when Taegan East laid a sitter for Kelan to make it 1-0.
United squandered a great opportunity to respond when Galatians’ goalie Kade van Heerden saved Sukoluhle Shabangu’s tame one-on-one strike.
There was plenty of opportunity for Galatians Osa Osaregie and Aiedan, but they were rewarded with a consolation goal in the dying stages of the first stanza when Bongi’s effort found the back of the net when it was deflected.
The contest remained bereft of clinical finishes after the break. United’s Simphiwe Ncube’s effort went wide before Alidzulwi Netshitomboni also dragged his wide.
Dlamini applauded his players’ performances and said that he will definitely do better next time in ensuring that he has a full team to avoid walk-overs.
“The performance was impressive. I am happy with the play although there was a bit of ifs here and there, because we lost a league match and won the friendly. But I think it’s something we will fix. Midrand United is a very competent team with a strong defence. Their goalkeeper is so good,” said Dlamini.
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