Mini tournament showcases fine Montclair talent

ONLY one team could walk away winners at the Montclair Mini Tournament recently. Four teams enthusiastically made their way to the Montclair Sports Grounds to prove their superiority on the field.

In the first round, Montwood United FC took on Black Hurst Academy with the final score of 2 – 1 in favour of Montwood. Montclair Ramblers FC went against Prof United FC in a nail-biting match.

Both teams displayed dominance on the field with just as equal time with the ball possession. Misses, unlucky shots and a lack of communication saw the first half end with nil scores for both teams.

The Ramblers returned to the field to show no mercy and claimed the first goal of the match. United, with a stroke of luck, evened the game and scored in the last few minutes of the game, sending spectators into the field in excitement. The game was even at one-all.

Penalties had spectators on the edge of their seats as the teams tightly contested the win. After five tries, both teams scored four goals which resulted in a sudden death.

In the end, the Ramblers proved that they were hungrier for a win which advanced them to the finals with Montwood who beat them two-nil.

Prof United FC coach, Bheki Biyase, visibly disappointed said, “The boys put in a lot of great effort, it was unfortunate that the game was not in our favour. They played really well and I hope that next time we will do better. Congratulations to the opponents who won and qualified for the finals.”

Montclair Ramblers’ team manager, Mhlonishwa Khawula, said the game was well played on both sides. “The team was initially a bit unsettled, even though we eventually won the game. I think they were racing against time which explains their being unsettled.

“The game was well balanced on either side and I was very happy with how everything turned out. Even the tournament itself is a good thing for the area, it helps to build relationships with residents,” he said.

The Ramblers’ co-manager, Talent Madondo, called for the respect of field facilities. He said it attracts revellers as much as it attracts sportsmen and women.

“There are a lot of bottles discarded on the premises which in many cases find their way onto the field itself. We find it difficult to use the field safely because the sitting areas are polluted with broken bottles.

“It has become more of a drinking and dumping area than it is for sports. The condition of the field is also really bad, it needs to be rehabilitated to have it in pristine conditions,” he said, highlighting the lack of ablution, water and change room facilities.