Mpumalanga Black Aces draws with KZN side
Mpumalanga Black Aces U/17 development side hosted the KwaZulu- Natal schools' development team at the Greek Sporting Club in Senderwood on September 22.
Aces will be the happier of the two teams with the draw as the visitors had a better showing on the day. The KZN players attacked with intent from the first whistle, playing direct football by sending numbers forward and using their aerial strength to fight for every ball in the air.
This was contrary to Mpumalanga Black Aces, who tried to play the ball on the ground.
Their efforts were stopped by the hard tackling KZN players, who were playing a physical game.
It took a free-kick at the edge of the 18-yard area for the game’s opener.
Mpumalanga Black Aces scored through a curler that left the keeper with no chance.
At half-time, Aces led 1-0.
In the second half, the KZN side was the first out of the starting blocks, coming close with a header that was saved by the Aces’ goalkeeper. The KZN side kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but the efforts were not on target.
It was against the run of play when a quickly taken place-kick found a KZN player in a good position and he made no mistake, making the keeper stretch in an effort to save the ball.
Both teams had good spells during the game, but failed to capitalise on the chances they had. The game ended in a 1-all draw.
