Fuad Esack
Strandfontein High has been the surprise package in the opening rounds of the Mitchell’s Plain high schools league, winning two and losing one match.
The boys in blue stunned champions Cloetesville 2-1 in their opening fixture, followed by a 1-0 loss against Princeton and a 4-2 victory against Portland, at the weekend. Strandfontein led 3-0 at the break.
Shevaughn Abrahams’ brace and one apiece by Scott Williams and Tyrell April put an end to Portland’s unbeaten run in the competition.
Portland came out a different side in the second half with Keanan Lamb and Donovan Maxwell finding the back of the net in a space of five minutes. Just when it looked like Portland was back in the game, April’s late winning strike sealed the deal for Strandfontein.
The victory now sees them lying fourth on the log with six points and a goal difference of two goals.
“We did not take our foot off the accelerator and it was great to see the team working together,” said coach Jason Alexander, 19, a member of last year’s Strandfontein High school squad.
Referring to their match against Cloetesville, Alexander said it was great to get one over the boys from Stellenbosch because in 2013 and 2014 they beat Strandfontein 8-0.
Last year, Strandfontein finished second last on the log having lost 11 games, winning three and playing to a draw. “We certainly have what it takes to win the league but will take each game as it comes,” he said.
* In other action, logleaders Tafelsig beat Oval North 3-1; Beacon Hill beat Woodlands 3-0, Westridge beat Lentegeur 4-0, Cloetesville beat Glendale 1-0, Aloe beat Rocklands by the same score line while Mondale and Spine Road played to a three-all draw.