KZN High Schools Football League: week one recap

KZN Inland Football Action
The 2024 KZN High Schools Football League season has kicked off, with the opening matches, played during the course of last week, featuring plenty of goals and exciting action. It looks as if an entertaining season is on the cards.
On Barns’ Field at Maritzburg College, the u19 Inland champs, Maritzburg College A, almost came short against Ixopo High School in their opener as the teams played to a 2-2 draw.
College, though, showed strong character after twice falling behind. Despite facing adversity, the College boys equalised through goals from Jordan Marais and Philasande Khuzwayo, with Khuzwayo’s successful conversion of a penalty kick coming just before the final whistle.
As they set about defending their title, College will have been reminded that there will be a target on their back this year after an exceptionally successful 2023 season. Last year, their resilience and team spirit allowed them to forge several comebacks on their way to victories.
Meanwhile, the Maritzburg College B team set the cat among the pigeons by picking up a 2-1 win over Linpark, the runners-up in the 2023 u19 Inland competition.
Carter High, who were involved in the most exciting game of last season, the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup final, in which they pushed Maritzburg College to the brink before going down 2-3, opened their account with a 2-0 win over Haythorne.
Northbury, meanwhile, surged to the top of the log by thumping Thornhill 6-0. Alexandra High School, with home ground advantage, defeated Newton 4-0, Edendale, a newcomer to the league, got off to a winning start, defeating the Alexandra B team 2-1.
KZN Coastal Football Action
A big showdown set the KZN Coastal competition in motion, with the defending champions, Glenwood High School, tackling the team they eliminated in a semi-final penalty shootout last season, Westville Boys’ High, at Queensburgh High School.
In an intense clash, Westville edged out Glenwood, winning 3-2. Like Maritzburg College in the Inland league, they enter the 2024 season intent on living up to the standards of their predecessors, who put together an excellent campaign.
Durban High School (DHS) and Pinetown played to a 2-2 draw, while Betchet emerged victorious over Hillcrest, claiming a 2-1 victory.
Northwood High School, whose 2023 season did not go entirely as planned, began the new season on a positive note by defeating Port Shepstone 2-1. Sheppie saw the 2023 title slip out of their grasp when Glenwood scored a late equaliser in their semi-final, before claiming the title in a penalty shootout.
New Forest provided thrills in their game against Ashton International Ballito, triumphing 5-0 to claim the three points on offer and top spot in the KZN Coastal B League.
Queensburgh made a confident start, defeating Redwood 4-0, while Amanzimtoti saw off Grosvenor 2-1. Empangeni were victorious in their debut match, beating Sastri College 2-1.
Week One Results
Coastal A-League
Westville 3-2 Glenwood
DHS 2-2 Pinetown
Bechet 2-1 Hillcrest
Northwood 2-1 Port Shepstone
Coastal B-League
Amanzimtoti 2-1 Grosvenor
New Forest 5-0 Ashton Ballito
Empangeni 2-1 Sastri College
Queensburgh 4-0 Redwood
Inland A-League
Maritzburg College B 2-1 Linpark
Carter 2-0 Haythorne
Maritzburg College 2-2 Ixopo
Alex 4-0 Newton
Inland B-League
Heritage 2-1 Riverwood
Northbury 6-0 Thornhill
Maritzburg College C 2-1 ML Sultan
Edendale 2-1 Alex B
This Week’s Fixtures
Coastal A-League
15 April, Queensburgh High School
15:10 – Pinetown vs Glenwood (Field 1)
15:10 – Hillcrest vs Westville (Field 2)
16:10 – Port Shepstone vs DHS (Field 1)
16:10 – Northwood vs Bechet (Field 2)
Inland A-League
18 April, Alexandra High School
15:10 – Carter vs Linpark
15:10 – Alex vs Maritzburg College B
16:10 – Maritzburg College A vs Newton
16:10 – Haythorne vs Ixopo
Coastal B-League
19 April, Queensburgh High School
15:10 – Redwood vs Ashton Ballito (Field 1)
15:10 – Sastri College vs Amanzimtoti (Field 2)
16:10 – New Forest vs Grovesnor
16:10 – Queensburgh vs eMpangeni
Inland B-League
19 April, Alexandra High School
15:10 – Maritzburg College C vs Northbury
15:10 – Alexandra B vs Heritage
16:10 – ML Sultan vs Riverwood
16:10 – Thornhill vs Edendale