Saturday the 26th of August saw the reigning provincial champions, Glenwood 1st XI take on cross town rivals, Durban High School at Glenwood home ground, Stella. A big crowd was expected for the fixture and the Glenwood crowd did not disappoint.
The crowd was to play a big role in the game as the opening exchanges were frantic but lacking in quality; both sides seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. The boys from Glenwood would be the first to settle down and began playing with real confidence as they passed the ball fluidly and moved into attacks with speed. Glenwood exploited DHS’s weaknesses by attacking the wide spaces and delivering low crosses for their strikers to finish. This tactic would soon bear fruit and led to Glenwood striker, Thamsanqa Nombika, opening the scoring in the 20th minute, for Glenwood High School. The first goal proved as a confidence booster and the remainder of the first half would be completely one sided as, Glenwood, took complete control of the game scoring a second and a third goal, respectively.
The second half saw DHS put up a fight, with better defence and a few tactical changes but it would be too little too late as the substitutions from Glenwood High school would add a new dimension to their attack and a 4th and 5th goal would soon follow. The game finished at 5-0, with Thamsanqa Nombika finishing with a hatrick of goals and the Glenwood side with the bragging rights over their close rivals.
Report by Mr T Makhetha (1st Team Soccer Coach)
Photos by Christopher Murphy & Ethan Hayman (Media Club)