KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna-based side La liga FC continued its strong run of form in the Safa Eden Regional Men's League over the weekend, securing back-to-back 1-0 victories in tightly contested fixtures marked by derby intensity and defensive discipline.
La liga first edged out Smuts United FC at Smutsville Stadium in a match that started at a high tempo, with both sides pushing aggressively for an early breakthrough.
Keagan Mathe opened the scoring in the first half, finishing clinically to give La liga a 1-0 lead going into the break.
Despite sustained pressure from Smuts United after halftime, La liga held firm, showing composure at the back to protect their slender advantage and secure all three points.
The Knysna outfit carried that same fighting spirit into their second fixture, where they overcame FC Rebels 1-0, courtesy of a second-half strike from Athenkosi Myali. Once again, La liga's defensive organisation proved decisive as they closed out another hard-fought derby victory without conceding.
Head coach Luvuyo Magadla praised his side's resilience, describing both encounters as demanding local derbies that required grit, discipline and teamwork.
"These were not walkovers. We had to fight and grind for both results," Magadla said.
Across the weekend's Safa Eden fixtures, goals flowed in several matches, including Bitou Young Pirates' 3-1 win over Paris United, FC United's 3-1 victory over Fast Eleven, and NMU's emphatic 10-3 triumph over De Rust United. Other notable results included a 4-4 draw between Paris United and Infantry School and a 5-3 win for Smuts United over Strikers.
After the weekend's action, La liga sits third on the log with 59 points, while Smuts United remains fifteenth with 35 points.
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