KPFC goes down 2-4 in Castle League clash

The Kempton Park Football Club (KPFC) SAB Castle League side went down 2-4 away at Elspark Development on Saturday in what is becoming a serious relegation battle.

Elspark led 3-0 before Kempton struck back with two goals before a breakaway from Elspark later sealed the victory.

KPFC will play Zone 7 from Tembisa at home on Saturday.

The KPFC division 1 team opened the Easterns season with a 1-1 draw at Bonaero Park. A creditable result after being promoted from division 1 last season.

They play Sacred Heart at home on Saturday at 2pm.

In the ILFA League is the first team who maintained its third spot on goal difference from Sporting and Robertsham, who also have 13 points each from five games.

Kempton hosted Zwide from Kathlehong on Saturday and despite their lowly league position, Zwide provided Kempton with a very stern test before the boys in red took the three points with a hard-earned 1-0 victory.

In a scrappy but open first half, Zwide created a multitude of chances but weak finishing and poor decision making prevented them from exacting a lead from a wobbly Kempton defence.

Kempton had goalkeeper Nathi Ngobe to thank pulling off a stunning penalty save after Edmond Mohala was rightly judged to have pushed his Zwide counterpart in the back while defending a free kick.

Speculative shots from star striker Zivai Verenga and wing Mbuso Thango failed to hit the target and Kempton were relieved to go into half-time level and goalless.

John Mann read the riot act at half-time and the Kempton players seemed to have a little more purpose in the second half.

Kempton began to dominate the midfield tussle and when Nathi Shange was hauled down just outside the box, Kempton had a great chance to take the lead from the set piece. Verenga fizzed a blistering drive goalwards but his strike was forced over the bar by a flying Zwide keeper for what must be one of the saves of the season.

Pressure was being piled on and the referee pointed to the penalty spot after a blatant handball from the Zwide centre back. Up stepped Verenga who side-footed tamely beyond the left hand upright.

Minutes later Verenga made amends when he ran onto a long ball down the right. He allowed it to bounce once before unleashing an unstoppable drive which zipped down the back of the net after flicking the underside of the crossbar.

One-nil was what it stayed and with no further scares, the three points were secured.

Kempton will face Benoni Northerns away at Northern Areas next week.

The ILFA reserve team succumbed by 2-3 against Zwide on Saturday.