The PFC Players Cup (Europa League event) attracted a field of 7 players - including a welcome return for Chessray Jooste after a 10 month lay-off! The event turned out to be possibly the most exciting one on the 2019 PFC calendar yet - with plenty goals, to make up for the "lack of goals" from last weekends Champions League event!
Kegan vd Merwe got the defense of his title off to the perfect start with an emphatic 2-0 win over Conway Julie in Match 1. In Match 4, Julian vd Merwe dispatched of a somewhat "rusty" Chessray Jooste by 2-0. By the end of Round 2, the lead had changed at the top as Bevin Reed had a convincing 3-0 win over Conway. Gary Downs played a very tactical match against Kegan - cutting off Kegan's midfield supply, and Gary capitalised on a midfield error by Kegan to inflict Kegan's only loss of the day, the 1-0 loss costing Kegan the top spot at that stage.
Round 3 action saw Chessray celebrate a 1-0 win over Bevin, with Chessray pulling off 3 good saves to deny Bevin! Then, both Gary and Julian missed the chance to go top (at Bevin's expense) as they played out to a thrilling 0-0 draw!
The final two rounds of play then really defined the day - firstly in Match 10, we were treated to fantastic goalkeeping display as Jayden vd Merwe and Chessray played out to a 0-0 draw, with Chessray pulling off no less than 5 good saves to deny Jayden, and Jayden answering with no less than 3 saves of his own!
Bevin then reclaimed top spot with a hard fought 2-1 win over Gary - with Bevin scoring the "goal of the day" in that match. In Match 12, Julian had the opportunity to win the event outright - if he could past Kegan with a win. It was Kegan who took the lead midway. Kegan would then go on to score a fantastic second goal, but it was rightly dissalowed for offside by the referee (Jayden) as Kegan had "forgotten" his right winger in an offside position - a lifeline for Julian! But Julian could not force the equaliser (and earn a possible play-off place) as Julian's only loss relegated him to a 3rd place finish!
In Macth 13, Chessray would earn a play-off place with a win over Conway, but their match ended 0-0 for Chessray to claim a 5th place finish.
Match 14 - the decider, as a draw for Kegan would earn a play-off place and a Jayden win would give Jayden the play-off place. Kegan took the lead on 4 minutes, but Jayden struck back on 8 minutes with a fierce near post shot! A late error by Jayden allowed Kegan a famous 2-1 win for Kegan to retain his Players Cup title, and in so doing, Kegan vd Merwe secured his 8th WASPA title to date!
The organiser (and players alike) were so enthralled by the day's happenings, that we never agreed on a lunch break - which left the organiser slightly red-faced as we had a light meal AFTER the event! All was soon forgotten though as we reflected on yet another day of fantastic Subbuteo action!
Individual acknowledgements on the day :
"Goal Blitz" : Bevin Reed and Kegan vd Merwe ended the day as the top scorers
"Goal of the Day" : Being tightly marked from an acute angle, Bevin Reed gets the ball around and over the defender to place his shot high into the far corner in his 2-1 Round 4 win over Gary Downs !
"Tough as Nails" : Chessray Jooste for the best goalkeeping display on the day
As always, a big thank you to all who attended to make the day a great success. Next - a return to Bonaero Park for the staging of the League 3 Cup.
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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