Clash of the titans: Albion vs Prestige
Expectations were high on both teams as they took to the pitch on a chilly Saturday morning.
Westridge High School’s sports fields were excited on Saturday, May 24, as top local rivals Florida Albion Football Club and Prestige Football Development Academy clashed in a hotly contested Gauteng Development Promotional League derby.
The event, the first of two, drew huge crowds with supporters loudly cheering on their respective teams as the games unfolded and the clash between the Roodepoort rivals heated up.
Up first, the U14s took to the field with gusto, playing at a very fast pace. Each side tried desperately to outmanoeuvre the other with quick passes and repeated rushes to the goal.
The evenly matched teams both showed great discipline and perseverance throughout.
By the time the final whistle blew, Prestige were one up on the visitors, thanks to a goal by Khoza Alwande, beating Albion 1–0.
The U15s continued the frantic pace, with neither side willing to give an inch of territory. The game had aggressive attacks and strong defence by both sides.
Prestige once again walked away victorious, with a 1–0 win over Albion, thanks to a goal by Sinethemba Dlamini with an assist from Junior Ndlela.
Also read: Florida’s Albion Football Club sets the bar during tournament
Albion’s losing streak continued in the U17 game, with Goodwill Mlimu’s goal ensuring Prestige the 1–0 win.
By the time the U19s took to the field, one could hear a pin drop among the Albion supporters.
Their U19 team is fast gaining a fearsome reputation as one of the more dominant teams in the league. Still, Prestige Football Development Academy’s performance thus far on the day made it clear they are not easily intimidated.
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The highly anticipated game did not disappoint. Albion’s U19 squad took to the field determined to save the day for their club, a feat which they accomplished convincingly.
Albion stamped their dominance on the game from the beginning, taking every opportunity and filling every gap presented to them, keeping Prestige on the back foot throughout.
The crowd erupted as the end whistle blew, with Albion in the lead 2–0.
“It was a difficult day for both teams,” says Florida Albion Football Club vice chairperson, Haadie Soloman. “Both teams have a lot of work to do before the next one. It will be interesting to see what happens.”
