League

Hopwood
Spectators: 8549 (Terracing: 6413, Seating: 1966, VIP seats: 170) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ivan Webb kicked off to start the match. Andre Qabi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 2nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 11th minute, Andre Qabi got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Brandon Nunes showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Wycliffe Magagane, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Wycliffe Magagane in the 14th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Brandon Nunes prevented the ball from getting in the gole. FC Hopwood's Brandon Nunes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elias Thembe in the 17th minute of play. Lazarus Lekgwathi fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without David Sono having to interfere. Brandon Nunes showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bongi Radebe in the 21st minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Sibongile Mhlathe during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Palancas Negras's Sibongile Mhlathe got a free kick in the 24th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 29th minute, Bongi Radebe managed to get in a good position for a shot. Palancas Negras's supporters rose to their feet, but Bongi Radebe was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Brandon Nunes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Brandon Nunes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Thanyani Thebile, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 35 minutes into the match, Thanyani Thebile notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of FC Hopwood's Brandon Nunes. Brandon Nunes was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 39th minute Andre Qabi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brandon Nunes saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Lindo Thabang hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. If Meshack Machete had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After some fancy dribbling in the 44th minute, Elias Thembe managed to get in a good position for a shot. Palancas Negras's supporters rose to their feet, but Elias Thembe was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Brandon Nunes breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When Wycliffe Magagane came up free with the goalie in the 46th minute, the Palancas Negras 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 Wycliffe Magagane couldn't finish the play.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Wycliffe Magagane to make the kick off. With a little luck, FC Hopwood's Brandon Nunes got control of the ball when Meshack Machete tried to sneak it across the goal line. Meshack Machete could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 53rd minute of the match, but Brandon Nunes made a huge save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Wycliffe Magagane in the 55th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brandon Nunes saved FC Hopwood from getting behind. If Wycliffe Magagane had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bongi Radebe fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brandon Nunes having to interfere. Palancas Negras's Wycliffe Magagane was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 62nd play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. After 67 minutes of play, Palancas Negras's Andre Qabi made it 0-4 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Brandon Nunes was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 75th play minute Andre Qabi came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Brandon Nunes. 0-5. In the 78th minute, Elias Thembe got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. When Thanyani Thebile came up free with the goalie in the 81st minute, the Palancas Negras 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 Thanyani Thebile couldn't finish the play. Wycliffe Magagane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Palancas Negras were awarded a corner in the 88th minute after FC Hopwood's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Bongi Radebe took the corner. Palancas Negras's Bongi Radebe was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Brandon Nunes in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Brandon Nunes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thanyani Thebile in the 89th minute of play. In the 91st play minute Andre Qabi came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Brandon Nunes. 0-6. Bongi Radebe struck a weak shot in the 95th minute. Brandon Nunes didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Palancas Negras. Palancas Negras's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.