Game United FC suffer another defeat at KaBokweni Stadium
Barberton Academy head coach, Alex Morimo, was shown a red card during half-time for swearing at the match officials.
Game United FC remain at the bottom of the table after being defeated by Barberton Academy in the Safa U20 Ehlanzeni’s Mbombela Stream at KaBokweni Stadium on Sunday, July 13.
Both teams were looking for a victory in the encounter to earn three points as the league will be concluding this month. In nail-biting encounter, Game United FC were committed to score as they were dominating, but Barberton Academy’s defence was unshaken at the back.
The Academy’s efforts were not visible in the first seven minutes, however, they were able to organise themselves by the 10th minute and built from the back to attack United. This move yielded results, as they created shots at goals and numerous corner kicks.
The United side remained calm under pressure and counter-attacked with long balls, but these were mainly caught offside by the second assistant official. In the 38th minute, the teams were engaged in an intense back and forth. United gained some set pieces, which they failed to convert into any goals.
When the half-time break came, the score was at a stalemate, 0-0. Academy came back in the second half without their head coach, Alex Morimo, after he was awarded a red card in the dressing room for unsporting language with the match officials.
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According to Morimo, the referee ended the first half before the actual time. In the 46th minute, United missed a clear opportunity to take the lead through Congo Mnisi after receiving a well-articulated cross from Lerato Manzini.
After this, the Academy kicked into gear and dominated the game from the 48th minute. Academy’s Comfort Masilela scored for his team in the 55th minute to take the lead. They continued to look for a second goal, but Sithembiso Khoza’s ball hit the side net after building from the back and using their right winger Masilela to create opportunities.
In the 69th minute, United created some new opportunities when they introduced fresh legs on the field. Academy also responded with another attack to extended the lead when Khoza crossed the ball into the 18-area box, but there was no one to play the ball.
Getting frustrated, United made some several mistakes in their own half. In the 86th minute, United had a chance to level things through Thabang Makhubela, but Academy’s goalkeeper, Siyabonga Mbilane, denied him.
The final score was 1-0.
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Other results of the league are as follows:
Fortune Academy 0-0 Idlabantu FC
Black Medal FC 2-0 Mataffin Hotspurs FC
Sinani United FC 2-0 TS Galaxy Academy
Junior Spurs 0-2 Mpumalanga School of Excellence.
