KPFC win uphill battle against Germiston
Wave after wave of Germiston attacks were repulsed with little going on at the other end of the pitch.
If Kempton Park Football Club’s (KPFC) first team thought they were in for an easy ride against Germiston on Saturday, they were sadly mistaken.
They came up against a team that had recruited well recently and were no pushover by any means. KPFC eventually won 2-1.
Germiston were organised, well-drilled and looked dangerous every time they attacked.
After providing plenty of pressure early on, Germiston made the breakthrough 12 minutes in.
KPFC battled to keep the rampant Germiston wingers in check. Wave after wave of Germiston attacks were repulsed with little going on at the other end of the pitch. The boys in red were relieved to hear the half-time whistle and were behind at the half for the first time this season.
A stern team talk by coach John Mann took effect and KPFC flew out of the traps in the second period. A series of corners were desperately defended by Germiston with midfielder Paballo Ncobi and striker Zivai Verenga both firing wide. KG Ramoghoase and Dion Homela had totally taken control of the midfield and Germiston found themselves pinned back.
Verenga was upended 20 yards out an Edmond Mohanelwa’s free kick was floated into the penalty spot. Mack Botopela flicked the ball over his marker and found Verenga at the back post, where one bounce later the ball was driven into the roof of the Germiston net.
An exquisite Homela through ball released Verenga down the middle. Faced by a goalkeeper who had rushed 30 yards off his line, Verenga attempted to knock the ball around him. The confused goalie dived onto the ball and gathered it in, giving the referee no choice but to send him off.
A replacement went in goal for Germiston, but it is doubtful he saw the ball flash past him from the subsequent Verenga free kick.
From thereon it was virtually all Germiston as KPFC thought the game was won.
However, it was another three points secured and up to second place on the log behind Luso Africa on goal difference.
KPFC host Linhill Celtic on Saturday who are coming off two consecutive wins.
The ILFA reserve league saw KPFC secure their second 1-0 win, courtesy of a Botopela strike that trundled its way into the net halfway through the first period.
The reserves look forward to Linhill Celtic on Saturday, who beat them 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Moffat Park.
Easterns Division 1
The KPFC third team drew 2-2 with Worldnet at the Italian Club on Saturday afternoon in the Easterns Division 1 League. Goals were provided by Phiwa Sithole and Tsepo Mtolo.
Easterns Division 3
KPFC’s fourth team moved up to second in their league with a midweek demolition of Springs Old Boys by 11-0 in the Easterns Division 3 League. Warren Gardner bagged five, Thoko Zulu two, with Werner Roux, Andrew Shabalala, Phil Baird and Richard Head scoring one each.
Juniors: It was cup weekend and most of the teams had byes.
U-6 KPFC lost 2-0 vs Benoni Northerns, u-7 KPFC lost 2-1 vs Sporting, u-9 KPFC lost 2-1 vs Sunward Park, u-11 KPFC beat Edenvale 9-0, u-15 KPFC beat Woodlands 2-0.
Easterns u-13 league 1 KPFC lost to Olympia 2-1.
