UFS were looking to make an immediate impact on their return to Varsity Football and did just that by beating UWC 3-2 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.
Following an evenly-matched early exchange, the game showed signs of life, albeit unconventionally, when goalkeeper Nelson Chauke survived two successive injury scares while clearing the ball.
At the half hour mark, the first yellow card of the encounter went to UFS midfielder Angelo Arendse, whose halfway line tackle was deemed dangerous.
UFS then engaged in short-lived celebrations after Sphelele Ngwenya’s ‘goal’ was disallowed as it followed a clash between their striker Dylan O’Brien and UWC goalkeeper Ryan Ramandh .
With the half-time whistle approaching, UFS were handed an opportunity to take the lead when they received a free kick just outside the visitors’ box. O’Brien, who is the only survivor from UFS’s 2014 Varsity Football team, stepped up and made it count with an unexpectedly low effort past Ramandh.
UWC could have equalised just before the interval, when Petersen was fouled by Thapelo Madrati on the edge of the box. However, the resultant set-piece sailed over the crossbar.
Just after the hour mark, a perfectly weighted through ball from substitute Thabo Lesibe met O’Brien, who was brought down in the box by Luke Vester – who was cautioned. O’Brien dusted himself off to plant the penalty past Ramandh’s left-hand to make the score 2-0.
UWC were then caught on the counter, which resulted in Thabo Lesibe making it three to the home side with 10 minutes of the match left.
Not long after the restart, however, UWC pulled a goal back when Kovsies’ captain Gauta Mokati misskicked the ball over the line for an own goal.
UWC then sensed nervousness in the UFS team, which was perpetuated when the visitors earned a penalty with three minutes left.
Luke Vester, making up for his earlier error, duly converted the resultant spot kick to provide some late jitters for the home crowd.
UFS (0) 1: Dylan O’Brien 2 (1 pen), Thabo Lesibe
UWC (0) 2: Gauta Mokati own goal, Luke Vester pen
UFS: 27. Nelson Chauke (GK), 23. Makhaola Mohale, 24. Obakeng Seekoei, 3. Thapelo Madrati, 6. Angelo Arendse, 4. Siphelele Ngwenya, 11. Thembinkosi Gwala, 16. Lindokuhle Khumalo, 7. Lebogang Ngamlani, 9. Dylan O’Brien, 15. Gauta Mokati (capt)
Replacements: 28. Mafase Malomane (GK), 21. Duncan Mohale, 10. Thabo Lesibe, 12. Themba Msimanga, 8. Obarate Saila, 13. Nnyane Nkomo, 25. Bradwell Gouws.
UWC: 27. Ryan Ramandh (GK), 2. Azola Ntsabo, 6. Luke Vester, 20. Xhantilomzi Mesana, 5. Clinton Herwel, 4. Linamandla Mchilizeli, 10. Stefan Stuurman, 9. Emmanuel Sebareme (capt), 17. Leandro de Sousa, 7. Jaydan Petersen, 12. Litha Dakuse.
Replacements: 1. Aidan Leak (GK), 24. Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed, 18. Kyle Bentley, 13. Deflandre de Lange, 21. Siphosethu Meveni, 15. Kyle Segers, 25. Dawood Lawrence.
FNB Player of the Match: Dylan O’Brien (UFS)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Nelson Chauke (UFS)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Dylan O’Brien (UFS)
By Sam Styrax
