KLFA league heats up

KNYSNA NEWS - A weekend of double fixtures in the Knysna Local Football Association league provided for tons of fiery action between clubs as the top four remained unchanged with Young Boys still on top.

The weekend's action kicked off as a full round of fixtures saw all 16 teams in action with the clash of the day definitely being Red Eagles versus Smutsville United which would play a pivotal role in the battle for third place.

The two sides were handed a late kickoff as the game got under way at 16:30, just as the light began to fade and the cold started drifting into Loerie Park from the lagoon's cold waters.

This didn't mean either side would hold back however, as right from the outset things started heating up with numerous chances falling to either side in the first 20 minutes.

Red Eagles were the more clinical however as they capitalised on their chance and went 1-0 ahead inside the first quarter of the game.

With the knowledge that Smuts United were four points ahead of them in third place, fourth-placed Red Eagles knew they had to win to strengthen their chances of a top three spot. They managed to keep Smuts United's attacks at bay however, and earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory to go within one point of their opponents heading into the next round of fixtures the following day.

Sunday's fixtures didn't pit any of the big sides off against each other, but instead gave some of the lower teams a chance to spring a surprise on the higher-placed sides. Third-from-bottom United Brothers managed just that against fifth-placed African Roots as the two sides played out to a scintillating 2-2 draw in Hornlee.

Red Eagles squandered their chance to stay only point behind Smuts United as they drew 1-1 with FC Rebels while the men from Sedgefield earned a 4-0 victory over El Classico who could only field seven players. League leaders Young Boys continued their dominance as they held their four-point lead over second-placed Flamingo FC by securing a 2-0 win against Crossroads.

For the full list of the weekend's results, head over to the sports section on the Knysna-Plett Herald website.

Hyruim Kerspuy clears the ball for Red Eagles. Photo: Blake Linder