The 2019 edition saw six players complete a full round robin format where the player topping the standings would be awarded the Pretoria Cup - whilst positions 2 and 3 would compete the Pretoria Plate Final.
It turned out to be a low scoring event - probably due to the 7 week or so hiatus for Pretoria Flickers Club!
The 2018 Pretoria Cup defending champion Jayden vd Merwe got his 2019 campaign off with a narrow 1-0 win over Julian vd Merwe, after Julian pulled off no less than 3 brilliant saves to deny Jayden early on. Bevin Reed started the day with a 2-0 win over Gary Downs whilst the other tie of Round 1 saw Kegan vd Merwe having to equalise for a 1-1 draw with Conway Julie.
The tie of Round 2 saw Bevin and Jayden play to a pusating 0-0 draw, where Bevin dominated possession with Jayden playing on the counter attack - and Jayden
could have actually "stolen" it if he had not shot high over the bar on the stroke of full time!
Round 4 results really defined the day - as Jayden virtually sealed topped spot with a 1-0 win over Conway as Julian held on to fustrate Bevin to a 0-0 draw!
The battle for 3rd spot (Gary v Kegan) ended as 0-0 and we were still not sure who would clinch the remaining spot to compete the Plate Final as Bevin lie in wait!
Bevin then secured 2nd spot on his own after a 0-0 draw with Kegan in Round 5 - at that stage it appeared as if Kegan had done enough to secure 3rd place.
The final match saw Gary score in the final quarter of the allocated playing time to record a 1-0 win over Jayden - and with Jayden offering no resistance as he had already secured the Cup, it was Gary who then tied Bevin for 2nd spot and Gary's effort was rewarded with a Plate Final play-off against Bevin!
In the Plate Final, Bevin did not have it as easy as the 2-0 Round 1 win over Gary - a fantastic Plate Final ended 0-0, and the drama of penalty shots (with cellphone VAR on standby) then followed. After sudden death and after 7 shots each it was Bevin who prevailed by 4-3 to clinch the 2019 Pretoria Plate!
Individual acknowledgements on the day :
"Goal Blitz" : Jayden vd Merwe & Gary Downs as joint top scorers in a goal stricken event
"Player of the Day" : Bevin Reed as the only unbeaten player on the day - without conceding any goals all day too
"Comeback Kid" : Gary Downs for his 5th Round 1-0 win over Jayden to gain a "Plate Final" spot at the expense of Kegan vd Merwe
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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