Inclement weather forces super league clash to be abandoned
The first team match was called off with Robertsham Callies leading Old Bens 2-1 while Old Bens reserves won their match 2-0.
Strong winds and heavy rain caused Saturday’s (April 29) Eastern Super League clash between Old Bens and Robertsham Callies at Currin Park to be abandoned in the first half, with Callies leading 2-1.
Jayden Prinsloo gave the hosts an early lead, only for the visitors’ Kagiso Mabhebha to equalise moments later.
Midway through the half, Callies striker Tumi Magwaza increased his team’s tally after poking in from close range before inclement weather stopped the match.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the proceedings before the stoppage, but it was the home side that had an early sniff at goal.
After some deft touches in the Callies’ area, right-back Prinsloo surged into the 18-yard box to open the scoring for Old Bens, giving his side the early advantage.
But Callies quickly regrouped, and after Bens failed to clear a long ball, Magwaza collected and surged into the box, but his shot hit the post. The ball fell into the path of Mabhebha, and the striker capitalised on the rebound to make it 1-1.
Undeterred, the home side launched another attack that resulted in a corner-kick, but defender Travis McMean headed the set-piece over the bar.
On the other end, the visitors’ Ashley Volley headed over from a free-kick that was floated from the right after captain Ricardo Machado was fouled by Bens left-back Daniel Dyson.
Against the run of play, Magwaza made it two after some neat work from Machado. The skipper received a delayed pass from midfield, and after running into space, laid the ball for his number nine to score from close range.
The stoppage came on the stroke of half-time because of a north-easterly wind and rain, which forced the referee to call off the game.
Old Bens reserves win
Earlier, the Old Bens reserves beat the Robertsham Callies reserves 2-0 thanks to first-half strikes from Fabio de Freitas and Ludick Mayaba.
De Freitas opened the scoring with a free-kick that left the keeper stunned, and Mayaba doubled the score with a screamer after receiving from a corner. Unmarked on the edge of the box, he lofted the ball past the keeper into the far post.
Captain Thabiso Makgoba thanked his team for sticking to their strategy.
“We beat them on the counter and scored two beautiful goals. We got it right by not allowing them to shoot from a distance because we knew Daniel Dyson was not a regular keeper.
“We played good football and managed to stay in our positions so that we stayed tight. Going into the derby, we are ready and are going there to win,” said Makgoba.
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