When Makana Pillars faced Makana Rhini United (Maru) this past weekend, there was a lack of the usual flair and excitement of a local derby.
When Makana Pillars faced Makana Rhini United (Maru) this past weekend, there was a lack of the usual flair and excitement of a local derby.
However, while Maru may have been the favourites going into the game, it was the underdogs Pillars who took away the three points in this, one of the second round fixtures of the South African Football Association, SAB Regional League. The final score was 1-0 to Pillars.
Pillars captain, Bulelani Papu, said that, while he believed it was a “balanced game”, neither side was able to create enough scoring opportunities. “We managed to absorb the pressure because they kept on coming to us, fortunately we counter attacked them in the dying minutes of the game and we buried that one chance we created,” said Papu.
Jeff Budaza of the Maru management side agreed that his side may not have been up to the task, adding that they “played badly” and that “it was one of those days where we could not put three touches together”.
In other weekend football action, Eleven Attackers travelled to Bathurst for their return fixture against log leaders United Eleven. The team from Grahamstown performed well to draw the game 2-2. Vicki Platyi of the management team said Saturday’s was a tough game.
United Eleven were first to score, then added a second for a 2-0 lead. While things looked to be going the way of the log leaders, Eleven Attackers scored two goals to draw the game.
“It’s all thanks to our players on the day, with good team spirit and ‘never-say-die’ attitude,” said Platyi, who added that the team had been cut to “12 committed players”.
Attackers coach, Tailor Faxi, has also introduced a new system, to which the players are responding well.
“Our team is super fit, our physical trainer Bhutise is doing a great job,” said Platyi, adding that the team is “starting to play attractive and disciplined football”.
Sonwabile Soso Vellem and Themba Vaaltein have each scored two goals in their side’s last two games.
The fixtures scheduled for this weekend (Saturday 26 March) have been postponed to Saturday 2 April, when Maru will face another tough derby opponent in City Pirates. The match is scheduled to take place at JD Dlepu Stadium at 4pm.
sport@grocotts.co.za
