1 March 2018 – Host clubs endured tough times this past weekend in the Gauteng stream of the ABC League with no less than four teams claiming impressive away victories in eight completed matches.
Second placed JDR Stars kept the pressure on the log leaders with a famous 1-0 win at Tembisa Sports Centre’s Esiqongweni Ground in Saturday’s midday fixture. Stars find themselves only four points adrift of top position with a game in hand while Tembisa continue to languish in the bottom three.
Edenvale Rugby Club then played host to Alexandra United and Dondol Stars where Stars walked away with a 1-0 victory. The teams currently occupy 3rd and fifth spots respectively with United missing their chance to close the gap on the top two.
Valencia FC and Vaal Professionals played out to an entertaining 2-2 draw at KwaThema in Springs as the home team once again displayed their weaknesses at the back and now have conceded a total of 41 goals, the second poorest record in the campaign. Vaal remain in seventh position.
There was to be yet another 2-2 stalemate at Balfour Park between table-toppers Maccabi FC and M Tigers. Maccabi remain in first spot with a lead of four points (having played one game more than second placed JDR Stars) while Tigers occupy a mid-table placing.
“Gold City Giants” Alexandra Black Aces FC took advantage of a low-on-confidence Ga-Rankuwa United FC at the Phillip Stadium with the away club thumping their opponents 5-0. Surprise Hlungwane netted a well-deserved brace. Team manager George Soko stated that: “We could see such a performance coming and unfortunately Ga-Rankuwa were on the receiving end. We put faith in the youngsters and they delivered. We have boys who are 15 and 16 year olds in the team”. The loss virtually condemns United to almost certain relegation, barring some sort of miracle in the coming weeks.
Baberwa FC and Leruma United then endured a frustrating 2-2 draw at Alexandra Stadium with United desperate to get out of the bottom two.
Swallows FC rounded up the day with another away success 2-1 at Dube Continental FC at the Nike Centre. Swallows continue to push for a top four finish while Dube remain rooted in tenth.
Pretoria Callies then downed African All Stars 2-0 at Lucas Moripe for the only home victory of the weekend to round up proceedings on Sunday.