Blues secure friendly win against Mavington
The Boksburg Football Club continued with their preparations for the new football season with a 2-0 friendly win over Katlehong-based Mavington Football Club, in an unusual three-part match, divided into 30-minute segments.
Andile Mrubata and Eduardo Cassonga netted for the home side at a cloudy and chilly Boksburg City Stadium, on Saturday, February 21.
“I was very happy with the team’s performance, although a lot of work still needs to be done,” said Boksburg coach Garth Cooley.
“At this stage I’m focusing only on fitness and we will get to the rest in the near future.”
Mavington’s movement and slick passing, which revolved around midfield maestro Mondli ”Messi” Shange for much of the match, caused a few problems for Cooley’s men, but the final pass proved to be the visitors’ let down.
With both sides struggling to break the deadlock in the closely-contested clash, Boksburg went for broke.
Mrubata, who came on as a substitute in the latter stages of the match, wasted little time in making his presence felt and came close to opening the scoring with an effort which just missed the target.
The home side continued to threaten and it was Mrubata in the midst of things again, with a shot inside the box that went just over the Mavington crossbar.
With the absorbing encounter heading for a disappointing stalemate finish, Boksburg found their breakthrough, courtesy of the influential Mrubata, whose effort went over helpless Mavington keeper Celumusa Khumalo, to open the scoring.
Cassonga put the match beyond doubt with a sublime tap-volley finish, which landed in the bottom corner, from a Donovan Kruger cross.
In the day’s early kick-off, Boksburg’s reserve side played to a one-all draw with Mavington’s u-17s.
Asked about Mavington’s performances, Sandile Moloane, who coaches both the u-17 and first team sides, was upbeat about the showing.
“The boys played well today, especially the u-17s,”he said.
“There were wide concerns about them being too young to play against Boksburg’s reserve side, but they proved that football is not about age.
“The first side played well, too, they just conceded silly goals in the final moments.” – @SabeloBoksburg
