Local football clubs gathered at JD Dlephu stadium over the weekend in what was a spectacular Best of the Best Football Tournament for local-based first teams. The initiative was organised by Grahamstown's
leading football club, Grocott's Mail Eleven Attackers, to revive the spirit of soccer for the first teams who have had a period of four months off season.
Local football clubs gathered at JD Dlephu stadium over the weekend in what was a spectacular Best of the Best Football Tournament for local-based first teams. The initiative was organised by Grahamstown's
leading football club, Grocott's Mail Eleven Attackers, to revive the spirit of soccer for the first teams who have had a period of four months off season.
The 16 teams were grouped into four different groups comprising of four teams each. Results: Friday – City Pillars 2-1 Italy, Eleven Attackers 3-1 New town City, Love and Peace 1-1 City Pirates, Joza Callies 2-2 Early Birds.
Saturday – Pheonix Pioneers 0-2 Golden Stars, Eleven Attackers (under 17) 0-0 Young Stars, Chelsea 0-3 Shining Stars, Mountain Shades 1-2 Ext 9 Attackers, City Pillars 0-0 Pheonix Pioneers, Eleven Attackers 3-1 Young Stars, Chelsea 0-5 City Pirates, Joza Callies 1-0 Ext 9 Attackers, Italy 5-0 Golden Stars, Eleven Attackers (under 17) 2-4 New town City, Love and Peace 3-2 Shining Stars, Early Birds 8-2 Mountain Shades.
Sunday – City Pillars 3-0 Golden Stars, Italy 0-0 Phoenix Pioneers, City Pirates 3-0 Shining Stars, Love and Peace 2-1 Chelsea, Newtown City 4-1 Young Stars, Eleven Attackers (under 17) 1-2 Eleven Attackers, Joza Callies had a bye over Mountain Shades, Early Birds 1-2 Ext 9 Attackers.
After the group stages, Love and Peace and Joza Callies held each other to a one all draw until full time. Then in the penalties, Callies sent three balls past the Love and Peace goalie to gain a 3-2 victory.
Newtown City were beaten by City Pillars by a single goal, to claim their ticket to the semis where they faced hosts Eleven Attackers who beat them by a single goal.
City Pirates lost to Early Birds in the penalty shootouts. Then Callies went head on with the Birds, but the two teams failed to produce any goals within regulation time and in the penalties Callies could only score a single goal while Birds scored three consecutive goals, claiming a 3-2 victory and a place in the finals.
Finals Eleven Attackers 2-0 Early Birds In the early stages Attackers were already asking questions at Birds and in the fifth minute, the heroicism from Attackers captain Malibongwe “My Loli” Mbembe came out when he netted an opener.
This was followed by several attempts from Attackers, who had good ball control through out the match despite the cold and windy weather.
In the 10th minute from a corner kick, the ball was found bouncing in the Birds’ 18 area but the danger was later cleared.
Two minutes later, a rilliant goal was scored after the pacey striker Lelethu Makile stroke a powerful shot on the tip of the 18 yard area, stretching the lead by 2-0.
Early in the second half Makile again attempted a shot at goal but the ball went a margin's wide of the post. Attackers enjoyed most of the ball possession and took the game from the early minutes of the game.
Eleven Attackers coach and organiser, Andile Faxi said, “The purpose was to bring the first teams onto the field because they have been out for a long period so we ateast wanted to spark that vibe with something as competitive as the tournament.
I am grateful that Early Birds made it into the tournament because they too have been out of the scene for a long while.”
