Ernestmen Defend League title

by Bate Felix and Percy Zvomuya

Ernestmen slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Esselen Residence this week in a FNB Wits internal soccer league match at the Digs field behind Barnato hall.
Thabelo Thekiso opened the scoring for Ernestmen and Vusi Tjake replied with a brace for Esselen - grabbing the three points of the game.
Ernestmen, the defending champions of the league, suffered the old plague of peacock flourish and wasteful finishing which cost them dearly.
Having scored an early goal in the first minutes of second half, they allowed themselves to be lulled into complacency. Meanwhile Esselen boys showing passion came in wave after wave of attack which was superbly handled by the Ernestmen back four.
But their resistance did not last for long as the Esselen boys, clad in a blue and white kit, scored two quick goals which puffed out the smouldering Ernestmen spirit.
The game, which started at a fast elegant pace, degenerated into a physical combat bordering on violence in the second half. However referee Mokhulu Matshika stamped his authority and called the teams to order.
The FNB sponsored Wits Internal soccer league kicked off two weeks ago with 8 teams playing in the premier division, 8 in the first division, 14 in the second division and 4 in the ladies division.
The teams are made up of registered Wits students from the various campuses and residences. The matches are played every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm at the Digs field.
Last year Ernestmen won both the Championship and the Baxter Cup to crown the year. For their efforts, they are being sponsored with a full soccer kit by FNB. They hope to repeat last year’s performance.
Their Coach Sabelo Thabe was philosophical: “It’s a slow start to a good finish.”