Durban High School charges to victory over Kearsney
Durban High School (DHS) delivered an entertaining performance on their way to a 2-1 win over Kearsney College when the sides met at The Coliseum, at DHS, on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts showed great composure on and off the ball in a dominant outing.
“We played with good control and created a lot of opportunities. It was good to see the boys play like that,” Keegan Hezlett, the DHS coach, told Supersport Schools Plus after the game.
Hezlett wasn’t being glib when he spoke of his side being in control. The scorecard suggests a tighter contest. However, the hosts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created more goal-scoring chances.
Twice, DHS was denied goals by the woodwork. On another occasion, they thought they had scored, but the effort was disallowed.
The Horseflies were intent on asserting themselves and they were able to do so almost from the outset. Kearsney, though, defended well, which meant Hezlett’s charges needed to reconsider their approach.
“Kearsney played with a deeper press, and we were able to outlet a lot higher and we used our outside channels as well,” Hezlett said. “We played the ball against the grain really nicely, which found us a lot of space in the middle of the field.”
That tweak in their approach reaped dividends for School at the end of the first quarter.
A long aerial ball from deep in their half picked out Tyrique Cloete, who, with great control, received the ball and then turned on the magic with outstanding dribbling skills to shake off three defenders on the edge of the Kearsney circle.
He worked his way towards the near post before laying off to Jaiden Bramwell, who tucked the ball into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Kearsney, young but talented and well-coached, fought back and won a penalty corner. Keegan de Jager, as SA u16 selection in 2024, snapped up the opportunity to equalise, burying a sizzling drag flick into the back of the net.
DHS wasn’t keen to share the spoils with the visitors, however, and they worked tirelessly to restore their lead. They missed a few chances and Kearsney survived some close calls. However, in the final chukka, the home team hit the front again.
After turning over possession in the Kearsney half, the visitors were caught short-staffed at the back. Quick ball movement picked out Tyrique Cloete, who had found some space in the Kearsney circle, and he provided the finish to make it 2-1. That proved to be enough.
“All in all, I think we had a great game,” DHS coach Keegan Hezlett summed up the contest.
RESULT
DHS 2-1 Kearsney
