Arise those who dare. Arise those who deem themselves worthy. Arise the front runners, the best of the lot. The would be champions stand toe-to-to, eye to eye and boot to boot. From the best that the Lenasia Soccer League has to offer, this would be the match that has everybody`s mouths watering. It is midday on Super Saturday. It is Lesco versus Lenasia Wolves United.
With all the build up setting the scene for a battle in the wild, the actual story began in a cage. Both teams waiting for their opposite number to make a mistake. The game`s opening chance seen the ball inches away from the right toe of Raees Ismail who was unable to poke it home.
A high ball allowed to bounce by Zaid Cassim allowed a shot on goal from wolves, an excellent save from MS Mayet followed. Lesco`s number 1 was called into action soon after, as the pressure from the Prowling Wolves began to build.
Lesco needed to slow the stride of Wolves who were gaining momentum after their limping start. A counter attack from the boys in black was good enough to win them a corner. Taken short, the resulting shot was hit over the bar by midfielder, Osego Moeng.
The Wolves were on the attack once again when a tackle from Muhammed ‘Beast’ Wania lacked conviction. He chased his man down the line unable to power him out of it. The cover from BlackJack Dlamini came but was misjudged and Thato, who was on the field controversially, found himself on to the goal. MS Mayet left helpless as he converted. One – Nil to the wolves.
Another corner went Lesco FC`s way when a rather bizarre thing happened. A Wolves attacker was spotted urinating on the field. Surely a red card offense Mr Ref? It being referee`s from the LSL, only a yellow followed.
Half time seen the good work from Wolves in the opening 30 minutes rewarded. They go in to the break with the strings being pulled by CM Bhoy, and more importantly, the lead.
Surely Coach Hassen Tilly would have liked to be a fly on the Lesco dressing room wall as the Men in Black came out a house on fire. Faheem Wania found the first chance of the half to be his own. The number 11 however, could only direct the ball wide of the upright.
Yaaseen Essof had a few chances come his way but with luck not yet on his side this year, he struck the shots into the side and top netting respectively. The same player booked for urinating on the field had an off the ball incident with defender Zaid Cassim resulting in the latter being injured. No second yellow followed.
An equaliser came in the form of a wonderful strike from distance from the gifted Delano O`shea. Set up by Feemo Wania, the midfielder made no mistake in beating the keeper, finding the top corner.
The pressure from Lesco kept building, when a through ball seen Jackson Melanzie face to face with the keeper. The whistle for offside went soon after. Controversial? You Bet!
Wolves were due a counter attack in the second half and it came when the dangerous Sphumbo was sent through. A brave MS Mayet came way off of his line to deal with it. The resulting Wolves corner was dealt with by Lesco brilliantly as it set up another counter attack. It produced the final cross and final shot of this very intense game. The ball from Delano and the shot from Jackson, the latter could only direct it over the bar.
The final whistle could not have come sooner for one team, but came too soon for the other. 1-1 the end result. A tale of two half`s. D-Day is over. The fight for the title will continue. The two favourites could not be separated. FOR NOW.
Written by: Yaaseen Amanjee
