League

Field of Dreams
Spectators: 7962 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1962, VIP seats: 0) Francis Mumede started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 2nd minute, Daniel Kanku hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Francis Mumede recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 4th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 10th minute, Lungie Shoba ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Maluleke Phakathi was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. 13 minutes into the match, Middeldal's goalkeeper Maluleke Phakathi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Lungie Shoba. After a defensive mix-up in Aitch FC's zone, Elias Tshabalala stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hassan Thembe came out of the goal and Elias Tshabalala tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 18 minutes into the game, Middeldal's Elias Tshabalala nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Hassan Thembe made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. A collision led to Aitch FC getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Nelson Manyethela hit a great ball. Elias Tshabalala received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 28th minute. Hassan Thembe tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hassan Thembe made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Elias Tshabalala in the 29th minute of play. In the 35thth minute of the game Thabile Setlaba who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Aitch FC's Hassan Thembe was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Hassan Thembe made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thabile Setlaba in the 43rd minute of play. Hassan Thembe made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Henry Webb in the 46th minute of play. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Elias Tshabalala made a kick off. In the 53rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Aitch FC's goalkeeper Hassan Thembe, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. If Elias Tshabalala had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Aitch FC's Hassan Thembe got control of the ball when Thabile Setlaba tried to sneak it across the goal line. After some careless play in the Middeldal defense, Lungie Shoba kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Maluleke Phakathi. The Middeldal fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Maluleke Phakathi should have stopped the shot. Ivan Strauss charged in rather forcefully in the 63rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ivan Strauss the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 63rd match minute, Aitch FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ivan Strauss to maneuver through the defense. Hassan Thembe stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Elias Tshabalala's shot from short distance in the 64th minute. Aitch FC's Hassan Thembe proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 70th minute of the match, managed to save Aitch FC from getting a goal against them. Aitch FC's Hassan Thembe played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elias Tshabalala in the 72nd minute of play. In the 76th minute, Ivan Strauss hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 77 minutes into the match, Middeldal's Soloman Mufumadi broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Aitch FC's Hassan Thembe played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Elias Tshabalala in the 79th minute of play. Middeldal's Mando Cassim got a good chance for a goal in the 87th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Hassan Thembe was a little too slow when Elias Tshabalala got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 90th minute. The score was now 2-2. Aitch FC succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Middeldal had controlled the match.