KPFC first team bags 5-3 win against Zwide

WHEN the outcome of a recent disciplinary hearing awarded Kempton Park Football Club a 2-0 win over the abandoned Old Bens game, the first team was looking to make it 11 without defeat against a dangerous Zwide side on Saturday.

They did just that, winning 5-3.

Kempton started the game with six first-teamers out injured and their replacements from the second side did not let the side down at all.

From the off Kempton swarmed all over a Zwide midfield and defense who had few answers to the sharp passing and incisive movement foisted upon them.

There was no surprise when Darius Kasalu side-footed in from close range after Euclid Palmer got all of his angles right with a pinpoint center after a rampaging sprint down the left.

Kempton was playing the sort of football few teams could live with and the midfield of Homela, Humphrey Botopelo and Shange totally overwhelmed their opponents.

Zwide’s lone foray into the Kempton penalty area resulted in Dean Workman taking man and ball simultaneously in a terrific challenge.

A long ball from the right was expertly controlled by Kasalu just inside the box and as he shrugged off his man. The Zwide goalkeeper came rushing from his line and unceremoniously hauled him to the ground.

Penalty duly awarded and after some discussion as to who would take it, Botopelo stepped up to side foot into the right-hand side of the net with the goalkeeper going the wrong way.

In under 25 minutes, Kempton was three up. Kasalu, who was having a fantastic game, collected the ball from Palmer and lashed home a fierce drive. The football Kempton produced in the first quarter of the game was as good as it has been all season.

Unfortunately, a little complacency set in and Zwide took full advantage. A hoofed clearance was not dealt with by central defenders Darren Smith and Zuks Bahlakazi, who left it to one another, a Zwide striker latched onto the bouncing ball, twisted and turned and shot beyond Workman in the Kempton goal.

Zwide then reduced the deficit to one when on the stroke of halftime a shot from distance found its way into the bottom right-hand corner of the Kempton goal.

Zwide came out with plenty of purpose in the second half but were not able to break down a resolute Kempton defense. Full backs Grant Terrey and Skarra prevented them from getting behind the Kempton line and center backs Smith and Bahlakazi ensured Workman was rarely troubled.

Kempton restored their two-goal cushion when Palmer, who had run tirelessly all day, closed the Zwide keeper down and the ball was half cleared to substitute Ziv Verenga who made no mistake in ramming the ball home.

The fifth goal was a gem. Byron Jarman. who had taken up an unfamiliar midfield role, went on a mazy run, beating two defenders before planting his left footed shot past an onrushing goalie.

Zwide scored a consolation goal just before the final whistle to make the scoreline more respectable, but by then, the job was done.

The second team lost 0-1 in a poor, scrappy game not helped by many of the players having to represent the first team.

Few chances were created by either side in a game littered by indifferent play and worse decision making. Kempton was down to 10 men after 20 minutes with Sandile being sent off for kicking an opponent.

Zwide scored midway through the second half when a strike slipped past the defense and saw his shot ricochet off the inside of the right-hand post and into the net.

Kempton faces the bottom of the table Corinthians at the Greek Club on Saturday.