Menlopark secures a comfortable victory in Pretoria derby
Die Hoërskool Menlopark made their Friday night trip to Affies Meisies worthwhile by recording a comfortable 3-0 victory over the hosts. In wintry weather, the visitors delivered a polished performance.
“I am very happy with the result, earned on a cold night in Pretoria,” Brad Brook, the Menlopark coach, told SuperSport Schools News.
“It is always difficult playing away in a Pretoria derby. I was pleased with the girls’ performance.”
The conditions might have been on the chilly side, but there was nothing cold about the sides’ performances. Affies Meisies were intent on making full use of their home ground advantage, while Brook’s charges had set their sights on claiming the bragging rights. They were rewarded for their early pressure with a brilliant team goal in the first chukka.
The visitors built up from the back before moving the ball into the midfield, where Monique Gerber and Chanette Jansen van Vuuren had taken control of matters for Menlo. From the midfield, the ball was sent wide to Anja Steidler, who carried it well before sending a sharp infield pass to Katelynn Blokpoel, just outside the 23.
Deftly, the forward beat a couple of defenders before slipping the ball just out of the Affies’ goalkeeper’s reach for a cracking opening goal.
Stung, the hosts tried to respond immediately, but they were met by resolute defence.
Janse van Vuuren later extended Menlopark’s lead with a moment of individual brilliance. After picking up the ball just inside the Affies half, she beat a couple of defenders on her way to the Affies D, before firing the ball into the back of the net.
“There was some really good work from the rest of the team to lead her out into space, and open it up for Chanette to have a go,” Brook recalled. “It was a really good bottom corner, far post, finish.”
Kathleen van Rooyen extended Menlopark’s lead to 3-0 in the final chukka with a reverse stick shot after the visitors’ tight press had led to a turnover of possession.
The hosts pressed and prodded at Menlopark’s defence throughout the contest, but had limited success. When they pierced the backline, they found themselves denied by Annika Kloppers, who is enjoying a wonderful season between the posts for Menlopark.
Result
Menlopark 3-0 Affies Meisies
