MZOXOLO BUDAZA
Strandfontein High were among the biggest winners of the first round of matches, beating multiple league title-winners Cloetesville 2-1, to start their campaign on a winning note. Goals from Andile Dick and Ian Florus were enough to down the Stellenbosch side, whose consolation goal came from Ricardo Nateka.
Having won the league in 2008, 2009 and last year, Cloetesville went to this match as favourites.
They were particularly impressive in last year’s competition, recording 33 points after winning 10, drawing three and losing two of their 15 matches.
However, Strandfontein proved to have other ideas on Saturday and the victory saw them settling on fifth position on the log with three points and a goal difference of 1 goal.
They were among the seven sides which collected maximum points on the day. The others were Beacon Hill, Cedar, Mondale, Portland, Tafelsig and hosts Westridge high.
Beacon Hill was also impressive in their match against Oval North, winning 3-1 to send a clear message to other teams in the competition. Azada Bill scored a brace while Keith October scored one more to seal the deal for Beacon Hill. Clurwin Barry found the back of the net for the Oval North side.
Cedar overcame Spine Road 2-0 thanks to goals from Dylan Smith and Shakeel van Reenen. Riyaaz Nell was instrumental in Mondale’s 2-0 victory over Aloe, scoring a brace in the process.
In other action, Portland beat Woodlands 2-1 thanks to goals from Leo Mcleod and Jermaine Dawning while Zandré van Niekerk found the back of the net for their opponents.
Tafelsig beat Glendale 2-1 while Westridge overcame Princeton 1-0 in their encounter.
Lentegeur and Rocklands were the only sides who played to a draw in the first week, as they recorded a 1-1 stalemate. On the other side of the table, Aloe High and Spine Road need to turn their fortunes around immediately as they are languishing on 15th and 16th positions respectively with no points and goal differences of minus two goals, each.
The next round of league matches takes place on Saturday May 14 and there are some exciting fixtures to look out for. Strandfontein will look to continue their winning run when they take on Princeton. Beacon Hill will lock horns with Rocklands High while Cloetesville will look to redeem themselves when they take on Cedar.
Glendale will take on Spine Road while Oval North will battle out with Aloe. In another of the many top-of-the-table clashes, Mondale will go head to head with Tafelsig while Woodlands will square up with Lentegeur. Portland will take on hosts Westridge.
