Injury setbacks prove costly
Benoni Northerns Football Club's first XI were dealt another tough blow to their ELFA Super League Senior Division One title ambitions, with a third consecutive away defeat.
The team went down 3-2 to Highlands Park on Saturday, May 10.
A number of injuries to regular starters have made life difficult for coach Flavio Mariuzzi, who has had to shuffle his defensive back four on a number of occasions this season.
The return of Joel Nchlabeng, who played at the back was, however, one positive for the coach.
Northerns went down by two goals in the first half, but produced a much better display in the second period, despite losing the game.
Goals from Michael Edwards and Brogan Shrimpton could not secure the three points for the men from Benoni but, according to Mariuzzi, the team finally played for each other.
“They stood up and fought when their backs were against the wall and, if they continue like that, we will turn around the season,” he said.
He admits that the recent away defeats have possibly put Northerns out of the running for the league title, particularly as Randburg’s Top Bet United are seemingly in control at the top of the table.
However, with a string of home games coming up, he believes that the team have the chance to turn it around.”This is football and you never know what can happen,” he added.
“One good run of games could get us back into the picture, so we won’t be writing off anything just yet.
- In the reserve team game, prior to the first team’s kick-off, Northerns’ second team were defeated 2-0 by Highlands Park.
The seconds will play Kempton Park at 1.45pm on Saturday, May 17, before the first take on the same opposition at Northern Areas, at 3.30pm.
