Coach reflects on season
Old Bens Football Club’s first XI concluded their season on the night of Thursday, September 17, with a tough encounter against a strong Corinthians side.
The team lost 2-1 to their opponents, who loaded their team with players from a higher league.
“We took it as a challenge and our boys played well,” said first team coach Raymond Cloete.
Overall, the coach felt that the club had a good season.
“Being promoted into the ELFA Super League this year, we finished mid-table and ended the campaign with a positive goal difference,” he said.
“Of 44 matches over the last two seasons we have lost just 10, losing seven by the odd goal.”
He added that, because the team was in a new league, they started the season with a defensive mindset, however, they adapted well and results improved.
“Benoni has always produced good players, however, team selection was our problem this year.
“Not once did we field the same team as the match before, and after speaking to Jannie van den Berg (first team coach of Benoni Northerns) it was clear that we had the same problem.
“Both Benoni sides are extremely strong when we have our best players on the field, and this was evident by some of the results against the top four teams in the league.”
Cloete thanked his first and second team players for their efforts this season.
“We hope that we will see further improvement next season,” he added.
