Benoni Northerns Football Club unleashed a devastating second-half blitz to thrash arch-rivals Old Bens 5-2 in the Eastern Super League at the Manny Ferreirinho Fields on April 25, with Ludick Malele leading the charge with a clinical brace.

After a tightly contested first half ended 1-1, Malele struck twice in quick succession after the break to swing the momentum firmly in Northerns’ favour. Wandile Mokoena added a stunning curler from the edge of the area before Nyakallo Mokoena sealed the emphatic win with a well-taken free-kick late on.

The hosts were comfortable absorbing pressure and hitting on the counter, making full use of the blistering pace and skill of wingers Wandile and Calvin Ntsieng, who supplied Malele upfront.

Old Bens started brightly, with former Northerns attackers Siyabonga Mabena, Sphesihle Maseko and Lebohang Mamale, alongside captain Spiros Avgoustis, troubling the Northerns defence early on.

Their pressure paid off when Avgoustis gave the visitors the lead. After winning possession in midfield, he initiated a move that saw Mabena’s run halted before Mamale gathered the loose ball, beat his marker and delivered it back into the box. Avgoustis controlled well and finished past Andisa Hola to make it 1-0.

Despite their dominance, Old Bens failed to capitalise further, and Northerns gradually grew into the game. Their persistence paid off when Ntsieng reacted quickest to a rebound from a free-kick that struck the wall, firing home a low effort to level matters.

Wandile nearly gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time, forcing a sharp save from Neil Bouwer, as Northerns headed into the break with renewed belief.

The turning point came early in the second half when Malele converted from the penalty spot after being fouled by Avgoustis. He doubled his tally moments later, finishing calmly after being played through by substitute Linda Sibiya.

Old Bens had a chance to respond when Josh Hurst won a penalty, but he blazed his effort over the bar, a miss that proved costly.

From there, it was one-way traffic.

The industrious Wandile made it 4-1 with a superb strike from range, and although Mabena pulled one back for the visitors, Nyakallo had the final say, drilling home a low free-kick to cap a dominant performance and secure a 5-2 victory.

Earlier, Raymond Mokabane netted a hat-trick, while Matla Kheola added another, as the Northerns reserves cruised to a 4-0 win over Old Bens.

Also Read: Old Bens run riot to seal derby bragging rights

Also Read: Northerns reserves crush Old Bens in derby