It was a tough day at the office for NWU Pukke ladies during last night’s Varsity football match.

Pukke conceded an early own goal which was the result of a goalmouth scramble. The goal must have been a kick in the teeth for the ladies from Potch because they looked much better afterwards. Nthabiseng  Kgosietsile was a shining light for Pukke by consistently stopping the UWC attack. The midfielder came close to equalising the match in the 18th minute with a brilliant freekick.

Although Kgosietsile was passing well and winning the ball back for the team, the rest of the midfield struggled to hold onto the ball, with passes not finding their mark. Questionable decisions by Amanda Citywayo and Tsholofelo Namelang when on the ball marked the performances of Pukke on the night as they struggled to thread through the passes in the final 3rd of the park.

Shortly before halftime, Pukke conceded a penalty through a harsh one on one challenge by the Pukke’s keeper. UWC converted making the score 2-0.

Pukke’s defence had been solid most of the game playing a good offside trap. But towards the final moments of the match, the patient, possession-hungry ‘tiki taka’ approach by UWC paid off as they put the final nail in the coffin to round the keeper and tap in another goal making 3-0.

A tough outing for Pukke, but one they can learn from, two of their ladies were taken off with stretchers showing that although on occasion they lacked the technical ability, their hearts were in the game until the very end.

NWU Pukke will play UJ at 10:00 today and Tuks at 18:30 at the Fanie du Toit sports grounds.

They will be hoping to win their remaining group games to stand a chance to compete in the playoffs.