Young Ones break Stonebreakers

Samukele Manzini

Soshanguve Young Ones recorded a hard fought 2-1 victory over a 10 men Mabopane Stonebreakers, in a SAFA Tshwane under 17 champion’s league match at the Giant stadium on Sunday.

A second half brace from the boot of Neo Sehlahla gave Young Ones a two goal advantage, after Stonebreakers defender and captain, Katlego Madibane, was sent off, for protesting for a penalty in favour of his team. Stonebreakers pulled one back through  substitute Jonas Mazibuko, who converted a penalty, after star midfielder, Palatshi Mogomotsi was fouled in the 18 area box, 15 minutes before full time.

In the opening minutes both teams packed the midfield, attacking each other through the wings and down the centre but never threatening to score. Young Ones kept good shape at the back frustrating Stonebreakers’ dangerman, Buti Paul, who made good runs into the box but his finishing, let him down as most of his shots went wide or straight at goalkeeper Tebogo Malema. 15 minutes into the match both teams started to find some spaces on the flanks, particularly Young Ones, who used the right flank to attack. Stonebreakers were not convincing when clearing the ball from the back but their goalkeeper pulled off some good saves. Buti Paul found himself in a one on one situation with Young Ones keeper but the striker failed to beat the keeper shooting straight at him. With half time approaching, Young Ones’ Neo Sehlahla started troubling the Stonebreakers defence but unable to find the gaps to shoot at goal. Young Ones defence could not match the pace of Stonebreakers’ wingers and so resorted to playing the offside trap, that helped them keep the score 0-0 going into the half time-break.

The second started like the first half, with both teams not keeping the ball on the ground. Stonebreakers’ midfield combination of Palatshi Mogomotsi and Tokologo Sebotsane won the midfield battle, spreading some good passes to the wings but their attacking players’ poor decision making and finishing let them down. Both teams were not able to build from the back but long passes were played to the middle then to the flanks, with Young Ones using the left flank and Stonebreakers the right flank to attack. Stonebreakers started to gain the upper hand, seeing a lot of the ball but were restricted to either shooting from outside the box or  taking a defender on, that in most attacks led to corner kicks, which they failed to make use to score.

Shortly after Stonebreakers captain Katlego Modabane was sent off, his defence started opening gaps at the back and Neo Sehlahla capitalized from those gaps to give his team a 1-0 lead. Stonebreakers started defending desperantly  and were distorted and losing possession easily,  Young Ones camped in the opposiion half, in search of the second goal and were rewarded when Sehlahla made it 2-0.

A counter attack from Young Ones led to their penalty that was converted by substitute Jonas Mazibuko. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Young Ones. Young Ones coach Norman Baloyi gave credit to his defence for minimising Stonebreakers’ attacking players . “We kept a good shape at the back and did not allow the ball to bounce” he said. Stonebreakers coach Ishmael  Malacaca was spliting fire at the end of the match blaming the referee for the loss. “The  referee won them the match but I’m happy with the way my midfielders controled the match” he said. The win takes Young Ones to 10^th on the log depending on other results.