This past weekend saw the resumption of the ABC Motsepe League in the Western Cape after the December break and we made our way to Rooikrans Sports field in Grassy Park where CT FC Hotspurs hosted Trojan Utd.

FC CT Hotspurs purchased the Battalions FC franchise under the FC Milan name but have since been changed to CT FC Hotspurs.

Trojan Utd on the other hand purchased the Steenberg franchise and is coached by former Steenberg Utd coach, Mike Lukhubeni. The team from Milnerton have had a good start to the season with only 1 loss to HBUFC a couple of weeks ago and are considered title contenders by many.

Hotspurs are 2nd from bottom in their group and are yet to record a win, despite having plenty of experienced players in the squad and are currently considered as the under achievers of the group.

The Grassy Park side are hoping to change their fortunes and have acquired the services of Dylan Dean, the former CT Spurs and CT All Stars coach, taking over from Shane Poggenpoel who still remains as part of the technical team.

The first 15 mins saw Trojan with most of the possession as they made use of long passes to keep their opponents facing their own goal and created a clear attempt on goal when Asikhe Mziwkazi had his effort saved by goalkeeper, Rafiq Trumpeter.
Hotspurs made a few attempts to play from the back but their decision making and unforced errors caused them not to progress to the final third while they were also made to work extra hard as they tried to gain possession and conceded a number of fouls in the first quarter of the match.

The home side did manage to get into the game from the 20th minute after some stern instruction from the bench with Anees Petersen and Matthew Tiemie having an influence. Shamiel Philander became more involved as he dropped deep to collect the ball from the defenders as they played from the back.

The second half started better for Hotspurs as they forced a save from Trojan keeper, Tisetso Seodinyane and also started taking more control of the game but were unable to complete any attacking moves initiated.

Trojan showed patience as they fought to win the loose ball to break on the counter and their tactic proved fruitful when, in the 30th minute, they beat the offside trap and Gavin Hammers netted to put the visitors in front.

Coach Deane then brought on substitutes Zaahir Witbooi and Liam Schnell who energized the team as their presence was immediately felt when they were involved in the build up which created an opportunity for Matthew Tiemie but his shot was saved by Seodinyane.

Hotspurs were creating more chances as they pushed for the equalizer which also made them vulnerable in defense and in the 40th minute, Trojan’s Kamva Nohashe nearly scored after receiving a cross from Hammers.
Late in the second half, Hammers completed his brace after he latched onto a pass from Nohashe to make the score 2-0.

 

A consolation goal came just before the final whistle for Hotspurs when Royston Rhoda scored for the home side after Trojan failed to clear a corner.

The match ended 2-1.

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