Black Cats draw against log leaders

FOOTBALL NEWS - There was great atmosphere last weekend from football supporters for their home team, second-placed Black Cats, when they took on the regional leaders, Plett-based Oriented Birds, and played out a 1-1 draw.

The entertaining Safa Eden Regional Men's League game was played on Saturday morning, 11 March, at the Lawaaikamp Stadium.

The match got off to a good start with the visiting team Oriented Birds controlling the game in the early stages. Both teams started looking sharp on the ball, creating more chances.

Xolani Mandla, Black Cats skipper, received his first chance of the game at this time but his strike went over the bar. The Birds kept on attacking on the right side of the field using the pace of Ikho Ntsuntsu who tried his luck, but also missed the target.

The home side earned a free kick from the centre of the field, but it was well defended by Oriented Birds defender Tafeni Ayabulela. Black Cats centre back Zithobile Magobovu made a brilliant save when he denied Oriented Birds their first goal, clearing away an attempt by Damans Fazel. Nandla later missed another clear-cut chance during the last moments of the first half , meaning the first half ended 0-0.

The second half saw both sides hunting for their first goal. Oriented Birds received a free kick but the shot from Radebe was well defended.

Both teams made substitutions with the visiting team introducing the two impact players Bathandwa Siwela and Lehloholono Mkhondo, while Black Cats brought on two experienced players, Melisizwe Mbomvana and Mzwanele Sangweni.

These double substitutions changed the game for both sides, with Oriented Birds' Mkhondo scoring first to make it 1-0 after the excellent touches played in from the centre of the field.

Thereafter Black Cats began applying pressure in an attempt to fight back and equalise.

The game nearly turned ugly when the home team fired a shot into the side-netting of the goal and claimed that it was in fact in the net, but the match officials didn't award the goal. After the incident Black Cats captain Mandla was sent off with a straight red card.

The Lawaaikamp outfit kept on pushing, looking for more chances from their strong attack.

This pressure paid off in the final moments of the game, as Luyanda Laho managed to break through for Black Cats and score the equalising goal. This meant that the exciting Safa Eden Regional Men's League game finished in a nail-biting 1-1 draw.

The Birds are now sitting at the top of the Regional Men's League log table with 49 points with the Cats from George breathing down their necks in second place on 44 points.

Commenting after the game, Black Cats head coach Hammedi Hussein said the draw against the first-placed team is a moral boost. Black Cats can still collect three points in the next game and continue breathing down the necks of Oriented Birds.

Oriented Birds chairperson Zitho Tyontwana said a point away from home is always good feeling. He said they aim to claim the title in this league with clinical play and no silly mistakes in the back line.

The football supporters at the Lawaaikamp stadium.

Safa Eden Regional Men's League weekend results

Saturday 11 March
Sea Birds 4-1 Raul Stars
Black Cats 1-1 Oriented Birds
Eastern City 0-1 Paris United
FC United 2-1 Peace Makers
Knysna Celtics 3-2 FC Benfica
FC United 2-0 FC Benfica
Knysna Celtics 7-3 Peace Makers
Black Cats 3-2 Red Eagles
Smuts United 2-5 Oriented Birds
Sea Birds 2-1 Paris United
Eastern City 4-2 Raul Stars

Sunday 12 March
Simunye 0-1 Infantry
Young Pirates 1-3 Moonlight
Simunye 1-0 Moonlight
Young Pirates 1-1 Infantry