SAB soccer league side, City Pirates, are off to Alicedale for the second round of the 2016 Nedbank Cup preliminaries, on Saturday 31 October.
The Grahamstown side emerged victorious in a four-team playoff against town rivals who also participate in the SAB regional league.
SAB soccer league side, City Pirates, are off to Alicedale for the second round of the 2016 Nedbank Cup preliminaries, on Saturday 31 October.
The Grahamstown side emerged victorious in a four-team playoff against town rivals who also participate in the SAB regional league.
The Makana leg – or stream A – of the preliminary round was played at JD Dlepu stadium last Saturday with Pirates emerging victors against 11 Attackers in the final.
City Pirates earlier played their first match against SAB newcomers Makana Pillars. The teams were evenly matched, with neither side making any major threats at goal. They eventually had to settle the score via a penalty shoot-out. The first three penalties were saved, two for Pillars and one for Pirates. Pirates eventually ran out 3-2 winners after the final sport kick with keeper Siyanda Dyan the hero for his side with two saves.
In the second semi-final, Attackers took on MARU in what was definitely the match of the day.
Attackers made a dream start finding the back of the net twice in less than 20 minutes in the first half, one from the spot. The match was fast paced with MARU chasing the game, but the Attackers defence was solid as rock.
Attackers were seemingly on their way to the final when late drama occurred. MARU pulled a goal back with less than five minutes remaining on the clock. Apparently pumped by their score, MARU pressed for the equaliser and their efforts were rewarded when a lack of concentration by Attackers defence culminated with the referee pointing to the spot, after a hand ball inside the box. The spot kick was converted and the sides went to penalties.
Towards the end of the time, tempers were flaring between the two sides and three red cards saw two Attackers and one MARU players sent off. The match had to be halted for few minutes as blows were exchanged on the touchline between a MARU and an Attackers player.
Finally, with calm restored, the game continued to the spot kick. Attackers held their nerve to win the shootout 4-2.
The final between City Pirates and 11 Attackers lived up to expectations and, again, the sides were level at full time. Pirates ended up winning 3-2 on penalties.
They now face an even tougher obstacle when they visit Alicedale for the regional preliminaries. Regional playoffs will pit winners of the A, B, C and D streams in the Sarah Baartman region against each other.
The winning teams will go to the last round – the provincial playoffs – traditionally known as a happy hunting ground for the underdogs.
sport@grocotts.co.za
