FC kings of the regional Knysna derby

KNYSNA NEWS - FC United emerged victorious in the Knysna derby against long-time fellow Safa Eden Men's Regional League side CX Celtics on Saturday.

The derby is always closely followed by supporters of the two clubs and always offers up a spectacle on match day, be it in local tournaments or the Regional League.

While the addition of Hornlee-based side Red Eagles to the Regional League means there's a new Knysna derby in the league, the long-standing rivalry between FC United and CX Celtics is still a large point of focus for local football fans.

The two sides lined up against each other at the Hornlee Sports Grounds on Saturday 29 January, with FC United going into the fixture in second place on the log and CX Celtics in eighth place. It would be the higher-ranked side, FC United, that won 2-0 to go level on points with top-of-the-table Peacemakers with a game in hand.

Red Eagles were also in action on Saturday, but faced off with Oriented Birds in Plettenberg Bay where they played out to a 2-2 draw. Red Eagles are now in fourth place, Oriented Birds two points behind in fifth, and CX Celtics are still in eighth place.

Pule Stanley takes a corner for Red Eagles in a recent game.

Clubs in the KLFA Domestic League also played this weekend, with 17 games played on Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 January between Loerie Park, Sedgefield, and Hornlee.

There was a remarkable number of similar results, with four matches decided by a 3-1 scoreline - the most frequent scoreline of the weekend.

Anathi Msila clears the ball for Oriented Birds in a match two weeks ago.

The biggest win of the weekend belonged to Pine Stars who beat Voota 5-1, while the highest-scoring game was between Richmond City and Crossroads with the former winning 5-2. League leaders Smuts United enjoyed a perfect weekend, winning both of their matches.

When the final whistle was blown on Sunday, Smuts United remained top of the pops on 28 points. Pine Stars are one point behind in second place, La Liga are five points further adrift in third place, and Young Stars are fourth, behind La Liga only on goal difference.

Anathi Msila clears the ball for Oriented Birds in a match two weeks ago.
Photos: Blake LInder