Shootouts, big scores, and all-out action in the Curro Halala Cup
This week’s Curro Halala Cup round two fixtures served to determine which 16 teams would continue on to challenge for the title at the national finals in August, at HeronBridge College, in Gauteng.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, Hillcrest High faced a strong challenge from Durban High School (DHS) at Curro Hillcrest.
Hillcrest High has stitched together a good season thus far and they continued their winning ways, triumphing 2-0, which left coach Steve Bez, of DHS, feeling somewhat disgruntled, as his team was well-prepared for the clash.
DHS, who compete in the Coastal B-League of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA), gave it all against an opponent that competes in the Coastal A-League and is in good form.
Banele Ngongoma opened the scoring for Hillcrest High and Thandolwethu Ndlovu made sure of the win with a screamer late in the match.
Ayedan Whitby played a crucial role in the second goal for Hillcrest High with a run in behind the defensive line before executing a cut-back pass to the edge of the box, which found Ndlovu, who then placed it in the top left corner of the net with a superb first-time shot.
After the match, Hillcrest’s coach, Cayle Marillier, told SuperSport Schools Plus that DHS presented a strong challenge, especially in the midfield.
Glenwood High School, after securing a 2-1 victory over Northwood School in the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League on Tuesday, had little time to rest. The Green Machine‘s coach, Khaya Mgwengwe, wasn’t satisfied with his team’s performance, despite the win, but they responded with an impressive display on Wednesday, charging to an astonishing 7-0 win over Curro Hillcrest.
At half-time, the score stood at 2-0, but upon returning to the field for the second half, Glenwood dominated, scoring five additional goals. Bandile Mbatha and Jaedon Davids both scored two, while Ukwazi Dludla, Mbuso Gumede and Ndalo Mbatha also netted.
On Wednesday, the Curro Halala Cup games were hosted at Curro Bloemfontein, with Grey College, Brebner High School, Navalsig and Kyrios Independent School in action.
Grey College secured a narrow 1-0 win over Kyrios, thanks to a goal from Senzo Makau, while Navalsig and Brebner needed to go to a penalty shootout after they ended regulation time at 0-0. Navalsig, then, won it 4-1 from the spot.
In Gauteng, at HeronBridge College, Clapham High School, one of the title favourites, defeated The King’s School Linbro Park 1-0 to book their place in the next round.
Curro Soshanguve and Curro Thatchfield entertained, with the Soshanguve school grabbing a 3-2 victory.
In Limpopo, in one of the week’s big surprises, Northern Academy was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Flora Park Comprehensive after the penalty shootout. It was 0-0 in regulation time and 4-3 after the spot kicks.
Also in Limpopo, HS Louis Trichardt handed Westernburg Secondary School a 4-1 loss in a dominant display.
In Mpumalanga, at Curro Nelspruit, HS Barberton edged out Lowveld High School 4-3 from the penalty spot after a goalless draw.
A penalty shootout was also needed to separate Stintile Secondary and Curro Clayville, with Stintile advancing 4-2 after neither goal scored before the shootout.
Thursday
On Thursday, in Gauteng, Meridian Cosmo City exited the competition after a disappointing 1-2 defeat against Mondeor High.
The clash between Norkem Park and Curro Wilgeheuwel ended in a 1-1 stalemate but Norkem Park moved on 4-1 after a penalty shootout.
In the Western Cape, Meridian Pinehurst won 2-0 against Curro Somerset West 2-0, while Camps Bay defeated Milnerton High School 1-0.
Following several weeks of rescheduling, in the Eastern Cape, Westering High School claimed a 1-0 victory over Curro Westbrook, while Brylin High School beat St Mark’s High School 4-1.
RESULTS: CURRO HALALA CUP ROUND TWO
Wednesday, 21 May
KZN
Glenwood 7-0 Curro Hillcrest
Hillcrest High 2-0 Durban High School
Gauteng
Curro Soshanguve 3-2 Curro Thatchfield
Clapham High School 1-0 The King’s School Linbro Park
Free State
Grey College 1-0 Kyrios Independent School
Navalsig (4) 0-0 (1) Brebner High School
Mpumalanga
HS Barberton (4) 0-0 (3) Lowveld High School
Stintile Secondary (4) 0-0 (2) Curro Clayville
Limpopo
Flora Park Comprehensive (4) 0-0 (3) Northern Academy
HS Louis Trichardt 4-1 Westernburg Secondary School
Thursday, 22 May
Gauteng
Mondeor High 2-1 Meridian Cosmo City
Norkem Park High School (4) 1-1 (1) Curro Wilgeheuwel
Western Cape
Meridian Pinehurst 2-0 Curro Somerset West
Camps Bay 1-0 Milnerton
Eastern Cape
Westering High School 1-0 Curro Westbrook
Brylin High School 4-1 St Mark’s High School
