Everything fell into place for the University of Western Cape (UWC) tonight against hosts NWU with an impressive 3-0 victory to end off the first day of Varsity Women’s Football action on day one at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds.
NWU were expected to win this one with a home crowd firmly behind them, but UWC put a spanner in the works with tight defence and opportunistic attacking play.
UWC stunned NWU early on when they had the ball in the back of the net after a defensive plunder from the home team led to Nthabiseng Kgotsietsile’s own goal.
NWU needed to fight back after that set back as Tsholofelo Namelang and Kgotsietsile did their best from midfield to regain control. NWU, though, struggled to breach UWC’s tight defence as FNB Player of the Match Nicole October and Nolubabalo Sishuba kept things tight. October orchestrated the defence from the back and was the rock of UWC on the night. NWU’s passes just did not stick as they struggled to make the most of their opportunities in the final third.
This came back to bite them, as against the run of play, UWC were awarded a penalty when NWU keeper, Lerato Mahlangu, brought down a UWC player in the box. Thalea Smidt stepped up and coolly converted the spot kick to double her side’s advantage.
NWU had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, but it was UWC who went into the break smiling with a 2-0 lead.
The home crowd did their best to reenergise the home team as the second 35 minutes got underway. NWU created a few chances through Ramogale Matemane on the right hand side of attack, but nothing seemed to pierce the UWC defence as former NWU keeper, Regirl Ngobeni, now playing in UWC colours, kept things in check.
UWC’s Lauren Johnathan and Amanda Lamani were constant threats on attack as they looked to increase UWC’s advantage.
With 10 minutes to go, UWC’s goalkeeper, Jaime-Lee Peters, now playing outfield, put the final nail in the coffin as she strode the ball into the empty net to make it 3-0 after yet another defensive blunder from NWU.
NWU will want to forget this game as quickly as possible before their next encounter, tomorrow against UJ, while UWC will want to savour this opening victory for as long as possible on a memorable Thursday night for the visitors.
FNB Player of the Match: Nicole October (UWC)
Samsung Best Shot Award: Jaime-Lee Peters (UWC)
Scorers
NWU: 0
UWC: 3
Goals: Nthabiseng Kgotsietsile (OG), Thalea Smidt, Jaime-Lee Peters
Teams
NWU: Lerato Mahlangu, Lerato Machere, Ramogale Matemane, Gomolemo Tsatsi, Mbali Padi, Janelee van der Bergh, Amanda Citywayo, Tsholofelo Nameleng, Nthabiseng Kgosietsile, Noma Matsane, Elizabeth Nel.
Subs: Motshidisi Nyaka, Annita Sege, Martha van der Westhuizen, Palesa Mokoena, Catherina Jacobs, Angelique van Wyk, Miaela Frade.
UWC: Regirl Ngobeni, Aaqilah Alfreds, Nicole October © Bongeka Jezile, Nolubabalo Sishuba, Thalea Smidt, Lauren Johnathan, Mipuleng More, Kiara Braun, Abongile Dlani, Amanda Lamani.
Subs: Tamia Milligan, Tamlin Dias, Gracious Baloi, Miche Oosthuizen, Jaime-Lee Peters
By Wouter Pienaar
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