Old Bens held to a draw at home by BCC

Old Bens’ title challenge was dealt a major blow as the Rynfield side was held to a 1-1 draw by Bedfordview Country Club (BCC) FC in the Easterns Super League on July 9 at Currin Park.

The draw put a dent in Old Bens’ hopes of climbing to the summit of the league. The Rynfield side moved to 30 points and will remain fourth on the log. BCC are 11th on 11 points.

Against a team that is languishing on the bottom half of the log, this was supposed to be a walk in the park for Old Bens, especially with their confidence high from their 5-2 mauling of Kempton Park last week.

The match started slowly with the visitors controlling matters early on. The midfield battle was fierce with both sides’ centres fighting to gain control of the game.

BCC’s attacks were launched on the wings but the home side’s fullbacks were alert and took care of anything that threatened their goal area.

Old Bens’ left-back Rogan Robb was especially influential as his runs and crosses down the wing set up his teammates well, but none of the attacks troubled the opposition’s goalkeeper.

The first opportunity of the game came from Old Bens defender, Travis McMean, whose header went narrowly wide from a corner-kick.

Against the run of play, the home side was awarded a penalty after Jaden Prinsloo was fouled in the area. Bradley Thomas sent the keeper the wrong way to give his team the lead.

By half-time, the visitors got a glorious opportunity to equalise when Anthony Ikekwem went one on one with goalkeeper Matthew Pudule. The Old Bens number one stretched his body to his right and punched the ball out for a corner.

The teams went into the break with Old Bens leading 1-0.

Also Read: Old Bens reserves thrash Sporting

The second half began positively for the visitors as Ikewem equalised for his side. Following an exchange of passes in the middle of the park, Ikekwem was set up by a defence-splitting pass. Facing the goalkeeper, the striker poked the ball past Pudule to bring his side back into the game.

The home side wasn’t daunted by that as they continued to knock, but the BCC defence worked overtime to stop their attacks.

With the game approaching full-time, BCC’s winger Simphiwe Mthethwa and Old Bens right-back Kenny Masoake got entangled in a fist fight and were sent off by the referee.

With the midfield creativity of Darren Elliot and the brilliance of Robb on the wing, Bens could have taken all three points but the visitors were determined to ensure they went home with a point at full-time.

The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The Old Bens reserves beat BCC reserves 5-1 with Liam Jordaan, Kaylum Jordaan (brace), Liam Robb and Zvikomborero Mapfumo grabbing the goals for the home side. Olivio Carvalho scored the consolation for the visitors.

Also Read: Old Bens back to winning ways