Date : Saturday 29th September 2013
Division : 1st Reserve Division – Knock Out Final
Teams : Bothasig vs. Wynberg St. John’s
Result : 3-0 Win
So it was Cup final day at Bothasig Football Club on a perfect day for football and Wynberg, the league winners, were our opponents.
Having almost savoured this moment last year (lost the final with the last kick of the game) we were determined that we would be on the winning side this year and with an 18 man squad to pick from, the coaches where able to plot Wynberg’s down fall.
The pre match preparation went according to plan with an early breakfast the order of the day, the squad stayed together, warmed up together and the early indication was that there was total unity in the squad.
The game was played on the smaller B Park and was confided to the midfield were Kevin Roman and Justin Botha, ably assisted by Brett Scott and Lyle Du Plooy never gave Wynberg a sniff, first to the ball and winning the tackles. The back four off Ricardo, Jonathan Thomas, Shaun O’Conner and captain Gareth Visser never put a foot out of place; Darren Fern in goal was his usual high standard and without question the best keeper in this league.
Our two front runners, Wesley Botha and Darren Sampson ran themselves into the ground and dealt with many robust challenges throughout the match. The game ebbed and flowed with neither side creating much until a long clearance by Ricardo evaded their right back and put Darren Sampson through on goal, Darren tried to pull the ball back onto his right foot, which unfortunately allowed the defender to get a challenge in and a great opportunity went begging.
As the half came to a close, Darren again managed to hold off a defender on the by line, this time he played a great ball across the six yard box with Wesley unmarked to stab home only for a defender to put the ball in to his own net. We deserved this lead and what a time to score just on half time.
Half Time 1 – 0 Bothasig
Playing with the slight wind in our face we knew Wynberg would not lie down and so a second half rear guard would be needed. Darren in goal pulled off a couple of saves before performing a quite brilliant piece of keeping, he came out for a high ball but was crowded out by attackers and defenders and as he lay on the ground the ball fell to an unmarked Wynberg play who calmly placed the ball into an unguarded net only for Darren to fling himself to his left and fingertip the shot around the post.
This must have been the turning point as the players upped their levels and had Wynberg on the back foot. Lyle gave way to Kyle Wilkie and Brett gave way to Keenan De Freitas, both wide players who would give like for like. Keenan in his first season has shown glimpse of what he is capable of and from a defence splitting ball he played Wesley through on goal. Wesley’s first touch was not his best but his determination is without question and he sent the keeper the wrong way with his prodded shot. 2 nil up.
Darren Sampson was then replaced by Byron Kemp who is one for the future. This change sewed up the middle of the park. With time running out we took a long throw in, Wesley beat his marker and took a shot at goal, which the keeper saved with his feet, however the ball spun out to whom else but Justin Botha to drive the ball into the Wynberg net, game set and match.
The other members of the squad Gino Henry, Pumi and the two under 17 players Brandon and Anthon deserve a special mention as they ably assist the team from the side lines, as coaches we (Paul and Andrew) could not have been any happier and express our thanks to every player who played a part in this season.
Final Score 3 – 0 Bothasig