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KNYSNA FOOTBALL NEWS - Both of Knysna's SAB Regional League sides, CX Celtics and FC United, were in action over the past weekend, playing two games apiece against Young Blues and Simunye on Sunday 26 January.

The SAB League is divided into regions right across South Africa, and each team that takes part in the league must have a minimum of five U21 players in its starting XI on match day. 

Several clubs that take part in the country's top tier, the Premier Soccer League, use the SAB League as a means of developing their young players to prepare them for possible future first-team football.

But, for amateur clubs such as CX Celtics and FC United, the SAB League is a stepping stone in the quest to possibly turn professional and reach the PSL in future. The two clubs ply their trade in the Eden District's stream of the SAB Regional League which acts as the fourth tier of domestic football in the South African Football Association (Safa) structures.

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While both sides have experienced mixed fortunes in the 2019/20 season, FC United had enjoyed the better form in the lead-up to last weekend, finding themselves in fifth place in the Safa Eden Regional League while CX Celtics lay in 14th place. 

The two clubs are the only Knysna sides currently playing in the Safa Eden Regional League, and on Sunday were billed to each take on Young Blues and Simunye in Hornlee.

Chulumanco Nkohlane cuts back onto his right foot. Photos: Blake Linder

United played Simunye first while Celtics took on Young Blues. The match between United and Simunye turned out to be a thrilling encounter, with the score ending at 2-2 at the final whistle, while Celtics dominated Young Blues to emerge 2-0 victors.

The clubs had a bit of a break before returning to the field for a second kick-off at 14:00.

In Celtics' game against Simunye, they soon found themselves with their backs against the wall, going down 2-0. They fought back well and shut Simunye out for the remainder of the game while bagging three goals to secure a comeback 3-2 victory. In the other game, Young Blues and United went back and forth, but it was ultimately be Young Blues who got the last laugh, as they won 1-0.

After the round of games, United dropped one place to sixth place, while Celtic climbed an impressive four spots into 10th place.

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