Soccer reports

by Ob1kanobi

TOO much Kuswag Carnival over the weekend took its toll on the Toti United U9 B’s as they found themselves 3-0 down away to Fynnlands early on Sunday morning.

Matters did not improve when coach, Shane O’Brien, misplaced the oranges and it is suspected his late night birthday party may have had something to do with the short term memory loss. The oranges were only consumed after the match – a definite mare of the match contender here. Nevertheless an inspiring team talk geared the boys up into a better and more jovial mood. Captain, Andrew Elkington was excellent in defence again and Wandile Nyuswa cleared the imminent white-wash with a brilliant strike from outside the box that took a deflection into goal. Once the team started passing the ball around, they had Fynnlands in trouble. Kian Gormley played well down the right channel and was unlucky not to score but played a role in Zee Gumede’s magnificent goal. Kian found space down the wing and passed the ball inside to Wandile who in turn chipped a pass for Zee to bang into the net on the volley also from outside the box. Oliver Sprenger had some good runs down the flanks but Fynnlands were extremely dangerous on the break and stretched the Toti net three more times. Final score 6-2 to our hosts, with man of the match awarded to Reagan Terblanche for an outstanding performance as goalkeeper. It was good to have Imraan ‘crazy legs’ Timol back in the side. He charged around the park, tackling everything that moved.

Toti Under 9 A team report

by Coach Decian Romani

AFTER the last game the Toti U9A team had against Highway at their ground, where they pulled out all the stops through some unscrupulous tactics by their referee, who was determined to not let the boys have the win they deserved.

Instead the game ended with a 1-1 draw.

So it had all the markings of a revenge game that will be played on level ground, with a fair referee.

Before the game I gave my boys a pep talk about playing as a team and showing them just how good they have become. Having been with the boys now for three seasons, I finally saw all the hours of coaching and medication and lots of therapy pay off, because they played like a well-oiled machine that outclassed and showed Highway what happens when you cross Toti United under 9s and their coach.

From the first whistle my midfield took control and never let Highway settle on the ball or create any forward motion in the middle; due to the hard work from Axle, Josh, Romashan, Kyle and on top of that they were passing with pinpoint precision that led to many attacks. With Axles’ long throws meant we were always pushing forward and taking many chances that kept the crowed on their feet and the banter flowing.

My defense was like the Great Wall of China, never ending and all over the place. With my ROCK at the back, Nate and the explosive Leith – who can go from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye, the centre never looked like it would be broken and with Highway not having one shot on our goal, they were as the song says solid as a rock.

My wingers did not see much of the game as the ball seemed to always be going down the middle but never the less Josh was covering plenty ground and was always at hand to fill in the missing gaps. At half time I made a sub with Josh as he wasn’t up to par due to a rough night, not on the town I hope and brought on Jon Jon and with us being two nil up made him the last man standing, because I wanted to see him as they say, get stuck in, as this young gun can mix it up with the best and have yet to see his full potential. But he showed me today with a new determined attitude that led to one of Romashan goals. Way to go my boy!

With a tenacious spirit and the heart of a lion, this so called pint sized warrior who we know as Messi, AKA Calib, had the Highways defense in tatters with his blinding skill and deadly finishing. He made them wish they had stayed in bed and they were fortunate, he only scored two goals as he was very close to scoring many more and with his partner in crime Romashan with his new found passing skill that led him to assisting on two goals and scoring two himself, you can say these two are going the vein of many teams next season.

Poor Ethan my lonely goalkeeper, who had no shots, corners, or any action to write home about apart from the odd kick out now and again did is job, by not falling asleep or nipping over to the rugby club for a quick one or two.

Final score 4-0. Well done on a great game played by all the boys.

Under 12 Report

by Kandi Crocker

A chilly Sunday morning on the 18/08 saw Toti U12A’s take on Westville at Hutchinson Park. After fighting out for a draw in the first leg of the season, the boys were looking forward to another good match against a once formidable opposition. Toti went on the attack from the beginning with Sphiwe Maluleke, Tre Chapman, Haidyn Haggie and Sanele Sithole all going close in the first half, some fine goalkeeping from Westville and some once again solid defending from the Toti back line of Thabiso Mkhize, Dylan Lamb and Sam Bhengu resulted in the sides going into half time at 0-0. The 2nd half was much the same as the 1st half with opportunities a plenty. Sam came close to scoring with a strong header from Sphiwe’s corner and numerous other chances fell to Toti’s frontline attack. The final whistle blew at 0-0. Man of the Match is too close to call and is hence awarded to the Team as each player on the park gave his 200% on the day. Well done!

Under 13 Report

by Doctor Phil

Toti u13 suffered their second defeat in as many weeks going down 1-4 to friends. Toti were expecting tough game as the last time it finished 1-8. it did not help that we got lost, and had to kick off late. even Sean Mellon’s navigator got confused. friends went ahead early and looked like history would repeat itself, however the guys dug in and managed to stem the tide until half time. just after the restart Toti equalised when a long range effort from Giggs bounced over the keepers head. the rest of the game belonged to friends, who put three more past Toti keeper Chase Coulon, and apart from a good effort from Andile that went narrowly wide, Toti could make no impression on a strong defence. man of the match for Toti was Schalk raw who an excellent game at left back