Civics Through Despite Fedics Scare – 28/04/2008
In the battle for the final berth in the last four of the MTC NFA Cup, Civics survived an unprecedented onslaught by Fedics United to narrowly triumph 1-0.
The goal that made the difference was scored in the 1st minute, after a clever cross from Victor Helu was buoyed on by Floris Diergaardt, only for Virgil Vries in goal to make a miss of it, allowing Tugela Tuyeni to slots home.
United played their game too, with the intimidating figure of Lothan Swartz upfront managing to find space only for his high cross to be saved by Esau Tjiuoro.
Neville Gariseb was enterprising in midfield for the Keetmaanshopers, threading passes through at times and getting stuck-in disrupting the motion of Civics whenever he can, but with Dokkies Cloete in fine form of late, Civics created chances of their own, with Rudi Helu on the left and his elder brother Victor menacing, but the wayward touches of Diergaardt and his partner Danny Chilufya left a lot to be desired.
Cloete masterminded another attack with a great perfect ball though to Chilufya who was clipped down on the edge of the 18 metres-area but the resultant free-kick was blasted over the top by captain Diergaardt.
Chilufya was guilty of lack of interest after he failed to meet a quick cross by the frustrated Diergaardt, allowing Vigil to claim.
On 21-minutes, Glen Wells, manage to invade the Civics backline, but Aupa Ndjavera stood firm and clears comfortably, before another attack with Jacobus Gei-xob released Clarence Andries but Tjiuoro again comes out top.
Towards the end of the first stanza, Cloete was at it again, with his defence-splitting pass falling for Diergaardt who agonisingly watches as his strikes bounces off the cross-bar.
In the second half it was united who came forward more and on 56-minute Gei-xob awarded too much space, chose to chip over the goal much to the moaning from the expectant crowd.
On 62-minute Cloete passes onto the path of the attacking Victor Helu, who tricked his way through the last man but his final touch poorly went over Vries’ goal.
Substitute Roberto Krohne had a glorious chance to put united level with 19 minutes from time, as a clever ball by Gariseb sets him one-on-one with Tjiuoro, but the inexperienced Krohne got too close to the keeper and allowed Tjiuoro to save down to his left.
Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko relinquished his defensive duties for once, coming forward with a pass to Sekedia Haukambe on the right whose well-placed cross met the defending boot of Diergaardt with Ngatjizeko ready to capitalise.
The barrage of attacks for United continues up to the end but with the likes of Ndjavera, Ngatjizeko and Brian Brendell at the back for Civics, the Premiership strugglers couldn’t find the equalizer before referee Reinhold Shilongo’ final whistle.
Civics 1 (Tuyeni Tugela, 1min) Vs. Fedics United 0
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