Kempton Park FC’s cup run ends
After not playing a full game for four weeks it wasn’t surprising that Kempton were a little ring rusty
KEMPTON Park Football Club’s first team’s unbeaten run, which stretched back to the first week in May, was broken by Benoni Northerns when they succumbed by four goals to two after extra time in the cup quarter-finals.
After not playing a full game for four weeks it wasn’t surprising that Kempton were a little ‘ring rusty’, but in a game that was more ‘scrap than suave’ there was plenty of excitement on offer.
Kempton went a goal down seven minutes in when a fine passing move down their left allowed a superb cross to be hoisted towards the back post where it was volleyed in superbly from close range.
Twenty minutes in and Kempton equalised when Didi Kasalu collected the ball on the right. His excellent first touch allowed him to leave his marker flailing and his firm right-footed strike found the net.
The game was a real war of attrition on a small, bumpy pitch with neither side giving any quarter. A Grant Terrey free kick was brilliantly saved by the Northerns keeper and Zivai Verenga blasted wide on two occasions.
Kempton took the lead with five minutes of the half left when a rocket of a Colin Mahova shot was immaculately saved – only for Verenga to be the first to react by firing in the rebound.
Northerns struck early in the second half after Humphrey Botopelo was dispossessed near the halfway line and the subsequent passing move led to Dean Workman being beaten to his left.
Thereafter, Kempton had to withstand wave after wave of Northerns’ attacks. Workman saved well on three occasions and Dion Homela cleared off the line. Centre backs Byron Jarman and Zuks Bahlakazi performed miracles at the back for an under pressure Kempton goal.
With two minutes to go, Northerns broke down the right and a smart centre flew past the Kempton defence and goalkeeper. Northerns had to score but striker Kwanda contrived to drive the ball into the crossbar from three yards out. That was that and extra time beckoned.
After soaking up enormous amounts of pressure during the second half, Kempton started extra time the brighter side. An early chance fell to substitute Michael Lemphale who ballooned over from close range.
The same player fired directly at the keeper when put through by a superb Quenn Hartridge ball. Another sweeping move led to Ociano Pretorius scuffing a shot that was easily collected by the goalie.
On the stroke of half-time in extra time, Northerns took a vital lead. Kempton had three opportunities to clear the ball decisively but failed to do so and after an almighty scramble, it was blasted home.
Kempton rallied but were unable to break a stubborn Northerns defence down. In the final minute of the game, with most players pushing up, Jarman found himself having to defend three Northerns front runners. The task was too difficult and a slick passing move allowed Northerns to finish easily to take the tie 4-2.
The second side lost by the odd goal in five but performed well in a very high tempo game. Two costly defensive errors allowed Northerns a brace of goals before Rudolph Komape pulled one back for Kempton, sliding his shot under an advancing Rowan in the Northerns goal.
Kempton equalised early in the second half when Andy Kwango charged down the left, cut outside the fullback and speared a left-footed shot just inside the right-hand post.
Northerns sealed the tie when confusion at the back allowed Welgemoed room to steal in and score.
The third team drew 4-4 with Luso Africa in a bad-tempered game at home.
Kempton seniors play Zwide at home on Saturday in an effort to extend their unbeaten league run to ten.
