Ridgewood Primary triumphs over Norkem Park in U12 football showdown

Emotions ran high recently as schools clashed in a thrilling battle for Norkem Festival glory, with Ridgewood Primary School’s U12 team delivering a masterclass performance to claim a 3–0 victory over the hosts, Norkem Park Primary School.

From the opening whistle, Ridgewood took control of the match, setting a fast-paced tempo that proved too much for their opponents.

While Norkem Park fought valiantly to keep up, Ridgewood’s cohesion, energy, and attacking flair made them a dominant force throughout the match.

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Coach Patrick Lubunga expressed pride in his team’s performance, calling it flawless.

“I loved our performance. It’s the motivation of the children that stands out. Our opponents were great, but we did a much better job.

“We have good players, and honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. They played their best, and their best was greater,” he said.

Norkem Park’s determination was evident, but their challenge became more difficult when Emihle Magubane was shown a yellow card for a rough tackle.

Even so, they continued to push forward, hoping to turn the tide.

Ridgewood opened the scoring through Connel Foster, who gave his side the early lead and sparked further momentum.

Despite being 1–0 down at halftime, Norkem Park still had hope with plenty of time left on the clock.

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However, Ridgewood wasn’t done. A few minutes into the second half, team captain Levi Backo added a second with a spectacular finish.

Backo, who later walked away as the tournament’s top scorer, reflected on their win with pride.

“We played brilliantly. We won our match and I think we played amazingly today.

“Maybe we can improve by not giving the ball away too much. Our opponents were very good, but we were way better,” he said.

Norkem Park pressed forward in search of a comeback, but Ridgewood remained disciplined and sharp.

As the match neared its end, Dane Horn sealed the deal with Ridgewood’s third and final goal, putting the game out of reach.

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Norkem Park coach Lyronne Mac Kay shared his thoughts after the loss, acknowledging that the match hadn’t gone according to plan.“It was a tough one. We had a game plan, but it didn’t go our way. I think the boys were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion.

Still, we take what we’ve learnt and move forward. It’s unfortunate that we won’t be going to the semi-finals.

“I just want the boys to remember that it’s not just about winning, but also about making friends and having fun,” Mac Kay said.