Defensive errors cost KPFC game in SAB Castle League

After suffering their first league defeat by 2-1 at the hands of Benoni Northerns last week, Kempton Park Football Club’s third placed firsts were wound up and ready to take on fourth in the table Alberton in the ILFA Super League on Saturday, winning 3-2.

The rivalry was even spicier due to Kempton head coach, John Mann, being a former Alberton stalwart of over 30 years standing.

It didn’t take long for the goals to start flowing in what was to become a fantastic game of cut and thrust. An Alberton break down the Kempton right flank caused chaos in the Kempton ranks with legs and bodies trying desperately to clear the ball before it was looped to the edge of the box, from where it was superbly volleyed home from 18 yards out.

The right hand upright then came to Kempton’s rescue when a long range effort slammed into it and back out into open play.

Kempton leveled matters 22 minutes in when a sweeping move that involved no fewer than 12 passes and five players was completed when Edmond Mohanelwa side-footed in with the Alberton goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Minutes later it was Alberton’s turn to thank the frame of the goal when Zivai Verenga slammed a screaming shot into the crossbar.

Both keepers were in spectacular form as the game ebbed and flowed with no side gaining any particular ascendancy. This was outstanding footballing entertainment and Kempton eventually took the lead on 33 minutes when Verenga drove his penalty underneath the Alberton shot stopper, who guessed right but couldn’t keep the ball out.

Alberton hauled themselves back into the game in the final minute of the half with a fabulous goal of exceedingly high quality. A midfield passing move down their left allowed the winger to fly past two hapless defenders before the sweetest of crosses was turned in spectacularly through a crowd of players just inside Kempton’s left hand post.

The second half was a treat to watch. Both sides showed their skills both offensively and defensively with nobody giving a quarter. Alberton came close when Michael Letsiro cleared off the line with a diving header and Kempton Park’s chances were squandered by Verenga and Ociano Pretorius .

Surely one of the sides would eventually take a chance on offer and it would be Kempton Park. KG Ramoghoase powered down the right and fired a low drive that was destined for the bottom corner before a fully stretched Alberton goalkeeper parried the ball away.

As quick as a flash, Verenga pounced on the rebound, controlled the ball expertly and side-footed into the back of the net.

At 3-2 it was close, but three points were secured and third spot in the table was secured.

There are no games this weekend but the Super League continues on April 27 with Kempton Park travelling to Huntersfield Stadium in Kathlehong to take on Musa United.

ILFA Super League Reserves

Kempton Park had a tough task on their hands when taking on an experienced and physical Alberton side who lead the reserve league at present.

The young boys in red battled hard but were somewhat overwhelmed by a slick Alberton unit who overcame them by 2-1.

Alberton took the lead with a penalty after Leeroy Shora had committed a foul halfway through the first half.

Alberton’s second was the result of a fine strike after a poor clearance.

Later on Kempton reduced the deficit to one with a shot into the roof of the net by Viera and then had a goal from Skillo Ditshego disallowed for offside to leave the final score 2-1 to Alberton.

SAB Castle League

After beating Zone 7 Tembisa 4-0 last week with two goals from Shadrack Makoroane and one each from Thato Dlamini and Khodani Rabedzwana, the Kempton Park SAB Castle team headed off to Vosloorus Stadium to take on Vosloo Arsenal on Saturday.

Despite leading 4-2 at half time with another double strike from Shadrack Mokoroane and a brace from Phumlani Sello, Kempton fell to a 5-4 defeat after numerous defensive errors let them down in the second half.

Easterns Division 1

Kempton Park’s third team travelled to Actonville on Saturday but failed to score for the first time in 27 games, going down 1-0 to league leaders Benfica.

Easterns Div 3

The fourth team played Santos of Germiston away at Delville on Wednesday night last week and returned home with a thumping 8-0 victory. Four goals from Warren Gardner and one each from Dimitri Koukouzellis, Tyrone Young, Wesley Jarman and Phillip Baird.

Junior Results

U-7A 0 vs Pro Athletico 4, u-7B 5 vs Highlands Park 3, u-8 7 vs Benoni Northerns 0, u-9 2 vs Birch Acres 0, u-10 0 vs Ivory Park 9, u-11 4 vs Old Bens 1, u- 3 vs Balfour Park 4, u-5A 10 vs Corinthians 0, u-15B 11 vs Edenvale 2, u-17 2 vs Birch Acres 0.

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