Two-goal lead squandered as Bens take foot off the gas
Old Bens Football Club’s first XI is “still not at 100 per cent, but getting there fast”.
This is the view of coach Raymond Cloete, whose side includes five new players in the team from that which did battle in last season’s ELFA Super League.
In this year’s competition Cloete is still trying to get his formations to optimal level.
At the team’s Currin Park home base on Saturday, April 2 versus Luso Africa the team showed excellent signs of progress, but could not get the desired victory as they were held to a 2-2 draw.
Cloete’s men will be kicking themselves after they let a two-goal lead slip with about 15 minutes remaining in the match.
The first stanza belonged to the Benoni outfit, who bossed the play.
Lesiba Modau opened the scoring account for Bens as he latched on to a terrific long ball from the back.
The tricky forward player turned a Luso defender and chipped the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
The Primrose-based side’s man between the sticks kept them in the game as Bens conjured up a number of unconverted chances.
They would go into the break with the 1-0 lead.
Old Bens would get the second half started in much of the same way to the first.
Modau was brought down in the penalty area by the Luso goalkeeper.
Ludick Malele stepped up to the spot and converted the resulting penalty to double his team’s advantage.
A defensive slip allowed Luso back into the encounter as they scored their first goal with 15 minutes to go.
Their second goal was scored following a wicked deflection off a Luso shot to equal the scores.
Old Bens then held on under pressure from Luso to see the game out.
“We should have closed out the game in the first half but paid the price for taking the foot off the pedal, but I was happy with the style of play,” commented Cloete.
The club’s Reserve XI played some great football to win 5-2 against Luso.
“I am extremely happy to see the strength of senior football at Old Bens this season,” added the coach.
