The "usual suspects" gathered for the 2019 edition of the Pretoria Challenge Cup whereby 6 players battled it out for the 2019 title. As compared to last month's low scoring event - we actually witnessed about a 67% increase in the number of goals scored this time round! A very exciting event unfolded - from start to finish, and in the opening round we saw 2018 Challenge Cup defending champion Bevin Reed dispatch of Kegan vd Merwe by 1-0, whilst Jayden vd Merwe set the early pace with a 3-0 win over Gary Downs. A 1-0 win for Julian vd Merwe over Conway Julie meant that Julian would occupy 3rd place at the end of Round 1 matches.
It was actually Julian who consistently managed to occupy 3rd spot most of the day - but both Kegan and Conway were hot on his heels all day long!
When Kegan beat Gary by 2-0 in Round 4, and against all odds Conway frustrated Bevin (yet again) to a 0-0 draw - these 2 players (Kegan and Conway) appeared favourite for 3rd place, especially after Julian suffered back to back losses (2-1 to Bevin in Round 3 and then 1-0 to Jayden in Round 4).
In Round 5, the battle for 3rd place intensified - firstly, Conway had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Kegan. Julian then capitalised on two defensive errors by Gary to take a 2-0 lead, before Gary pulled one back to hand Julian a 2-1 win to clinch 3rd place overall!
As fate would have it, the final match saw the top 2 players (Jayden & Bevin) play the title decider - Bevin needed a win to hold onto his Challenge Cup title, whereas a draw would be enough for Jayden to wrestle the title from Bevin!
Before the match, Bevin openly disclosed what his approach would be : score first and then defend for all his worth! Bevin did exactly what he predicted - taking the lead after 4 minutes of play and then went ultra defensive. Jayden then played a cautious match - not over committing as he would open himself to a counter attack from Bevin that would put the match truly out of his reach! Jayden's patient approach was rewarded as he found an opening to fire in the equaliser with 30 seconds left to play!
The draw confirmed Jayden as 2019 PFC Challenge Cup winner - an unfortunate and "cruel" way for Bevin to surrender his 2018 Challenge Cup title!
This triumph marks Jayden's 21st WASPA title to date!
Individual acknowledgements on the day :
"Goal Blitz" : Jayden vd Merwe ended the day as the top scorer
"Player of the Day" : Julian vd Merwe for consistently maintaining 3rd place all day
"Moment of the Day" : Conway Julie for holding BOTH Jayden and Bevin to a 0-0 scoreline
"Pressure Pot" : Bevin Reed, constantly under pressure to maintain his 2018 Challenge Cup title and actually fighting back through the rounds, only to concede an equaliser to Jayden in the last 30 seconds of the last match of the day!
As always, a big thank you to all who attended to make the day a great success.
The PFC website & facebook page will be updated shortly with photo's & news content at http://www.facebook.com/pages/PFC-SA/519566284755728
(report by Julian vd Merwe)
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