League Play-Off

THE EAGLES NEST
Spectators: 38 (Terracing: 29, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Dumisane Koen started the match with the kick off. Dumisane Koen scored 1-0 in the 4th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Bradley Phakathi, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When Jocob Kubheka came up free with the goalie in the 7th minute, the Gazini fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Jocob Kubheka couldn't finish the play. In the 9th minute the ball was on its way in behind THE FLYING EAGLES's goalkeeper Lebang Konza, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Jocob Kubheka fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 12th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lebang Konza having to interfere. Gary Thompson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 15th minute. Lebang Konza tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Dumisane Koen's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Bradley Phakathi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 23rd minute of play. Lebang Konza came out of the goal in the 28th minute to try and stop a shot by Gazini's Gary Thompson. But to his dismay, Gary Thompson quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. Nelson Fortuin hit a great freekick 32 minutes into the match. When Gary Thompson came up free with the goalie in the 33rd minute, the Gazini fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Gary Thompson couldn't finish the play. If Jocob Kubheka had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 38th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 40 minutes into the game, Gazini's Gary Thompson nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Lebang Konza made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-2. Gary Thompson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 45th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lebang Konza having to interfere. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jocob Kubheka to strike the kick off in the second half. Gazini's Gary Thompson suffered a concussion after 54 minutes and had to leave the field. After 54 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for THE FLYING EAGLES! Patrick Mhlathe shot the penalty kick by force right in the crossbar. No goal. Jocob Kubheka sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 60th minute, Siyabonge Mathibe hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. THE FLYING EAGLES's Lebang Konza proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 64th minute of the match, managed to save THE FLYING EAGLES from getting a goal against them. Dumisane Koen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. THE FLYING EAGLES's Brandon Sibeko got a good chance for a goal in the 68th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Dumisane Koen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 75 minutes into the match, Gazini's goal looked a bit too open when Brandon Sibeko came free, but Bradley Phakathi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jocob Kubheka received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. Lebang Konza tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a little luck, THE FLYING EAGLES's Lebang Konza got control of the ball when Maxwell Radebe tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Jocob Kubheka had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Maxwell Radebe struck a weak shot in the 89th minute. Lebang Konza didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Gazini. After a defensive mix-up in Gazini's zone, Brandon Sibeko stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Bradley Phakathi came out of the goal and Brandon Sibeko tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Bradley Phakathi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Brandon Sibeko, who was totally free with the ball in the 94th minute. Lebang Konza showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Boyisana Kolwa, who was totally free with the ball in the 96th minute. If Jocob Kubheka had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 98th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Gazini were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.