Paris United surprise Eastern City in Regional League

GEORGE NEWS - Paris United Football Club locked horns with the former Safa Eden Regional Men's League champions Eastern City, sinking them 3-2 in a tough game on Saturday afternoon, 5 March at the Lawaaikamp Stadium.

Lunathi Ndzipho, Slindokuhle Gcuwa and Anele Pungwana scored for Paris United while Siphamandla Baliti and Wongama Sithole put the ball in the net for Eastern City.

The talented young Lunathi Ndzipho, a sensational attacking midfielder for Paris United, played an exceptional game and scored a top-notch goal. The two Thembalethu teams are still fighting their way up to the top eight positions on the Regional League log table.

Paris United went straight into the attack and Eastern City absorbed the pressure allowing Paris United to stay on attack.

Paris United using their wind advantage delivering a powerful shot inside the box and received a corner kick after goalkeeper Anoxolo Mbaxa failed to handle the ball. An attempt by Asanele Mnyungula of Eastern City went over the goal. In the first half, Paris United scored twice from set pieces. Lunathi Ndzipho first struck gold with a long-range strike from a free kick on the left side of the field. The second goal also stemmed from a set piece, which was awarded after a foul. Ndzipho again sent a powerful long-range shot and the Eastern City goalkeeper fumbled the ball inside the box, allowing Slindokuhle Gcuwa to score a second goal for Paris United. At half-time, Paris United was leading 2-0.

The second half saw Eastern City make a comeback, but not before Paris United had scored a third goal from the shoe of Anele Pungwana, who nailed it with a long-range shot from the right side of the field. Eastern City took the game from Paris United during the last fifteen minutes, sending them into a panic with offensive play. A malicious tackle from the Paris United back line gave Eastern City a penalty and Siphamandla Baliti scored their first goal. Not letting up on their attack, Eastern City kept the pressure on and had success when Wongama Sithole netted their second goal after a beautiful cross from the right side of the field. Despite throwing everything into the game, Eastern City could not manage a third and equalising goal, and the exciting game ended 3-2 for Paris United.