Black Cats win Lawaaikamp derby

SOCCER NEWS - The excitement and energy was thick in the air at the Lawaaikamp Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Lawaaikamp rivals Black Cats and Young Blues battled it out in a Safa Eden Regional League first leg derby game.

Supporters were cheering on their teams, who were giving it their all. "Bekunzima iYoung Blues inqanda amanzi engena endlini xa ikati emnyama ihlasela".

Black Cats sank Young Blues 2-1 in a nail-biting game, with Siphamandla "Malombo" Hlangabeza and Lunga "Anelka" Jantjies scoring their two goals in the first twenty minutes of the game. Young Blues' only goal was scored by their striker, Siphelo Matiya, after receiving a clever pass from the centre of the field.

The game started slow with Black Cats building their attacks using the speed of both wingers, with Athenkosi "Tso" Buda of the opposition trying to create chances from the centre of the field. Black Cats' left-footed player Siyabonga "Chenene" Situlo delivered a beautiful ball to Xolani Mandla, but Mandla missed the target. Monwabisi Gcuwa of Young Blues tried to break through but was blocked by Black Cats' right back "Mthembu Mandla", forcing a throw-in for Young Blues.

A marvellous ball played into the box by Siyabonga Situlo was well defended by Young Blues. Black Cats received a set piece from the centre of the field but they failed to score. Sipho Phendukwana of Young Blues tried his luck from the set piece but his powerful strike went over the crossbar. The first forty-five minutes ended 2-1, Black Cats leading.

The second half started fast with Black Cats unlocking Young Blues defenders. Lunga Jantjies of Black Cats kicked for goal, but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Bathande "Kidiaba" Jacobs.

Young Blues received the first free kick of the second half but failed to score. Shane-Lee Windvogel tried to unlock the Young Blues defenders, passing the ball to Siyabonga Situlo, but Situlo missed the golden opportunity. Xolani Mandla of Cats attacked and delivered a powerful kick but it went wide.

A solo attack by Victor Zweni of Young Blues on the right side of the field was denied by Black Cats' defenders. Black Cats' Windvogel missed a clear-cut chance when his attempt was well blocked by Jacobs, the shot stopper.

S Mzwanele "Sangweni" Jwaqa kicked a powerful long-range shot but it went over the crossbar. Kamva Qambiya of Young Blues attacked, driving a long-range shot which also went over the crossbar. On the right side of the field the youngest Black Cats player, the back Mthembu Mandla, was sending crosses into the box to create scoring opportunities. Windvogel kicked a strike inside the box but it was well saved by Jacobs. Situlo missed the last chance of the game when he received a clever pass played in by Jwaqa, but missed the target. The exciting derby game ended 2-1.

Nkosikhona "Matshonisa Gwegwe of Black Cats (left) tries to control the ball against Asanele Mnyungula of Young Blues.