Voortrekker defeats St John’s, Eunice conquers Clarendon

Saturday was a satisfying day for Eunice and Voortrekker (Bethlehem), who both recorded victories away from home. Eunice was clinical in a 10-1 demolition of Clarendon, while Voortrekker (Bethlehem) showed their class as they chalked up a 3-1 victory over St John’s DSG.
Kirsten Beneke’s team entered their match against St John’s on the back of a hard-fought 0-2 loss to St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) on Friday. In that encounter, the hosts caught them flatfooted and raced into a lead which they were able to maintain despite Voortrekker settling down and finding their groove as the match progressed.
“I think these tough games are worth it. The girls learn from the exposure and the skills they teach,” Beneke shared after the match.
Instead of being dispirited by that defeat, her side showed why they are still unbeaten in the Wesgrow League, where their record reads four wins from four matches. They are a resilient bunch and have bouncebackability.
They were in high spirits for their match against St John’s in Pietermaritzburg and determined to improve on the result of their previous meeting early in the season, when the teams drew 1-1 at the Balling Tournament.
This time, the Carli Oosthuizen-captained side connected well and retained possession for long periods and two of those spells resulted in field goals. “They were amazing team goals, which we love to see. We pressed St John’s very well and thus had control of the game,” Beneke said.
Oosthuizen, who was selected for the Free State u21 team, celebrated that honour with a goal. Jani Faber and Hermien van Biljon were also on target as Voortrekker swept to a deserved victory.
While Beneke is happy with the way her team has acquitted itself on the Astro, she is even more impressed with the culture that the unit has developed. “This BVHS team has a really strong sister-bond and that never-say-die attitude, which really pushed them today,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Eunice ensured their 735km trip to East London was worth every kilometre as they romped to an emphatic 10-1 victory over Clarendon. Coach Nika Coertzen‘s charges are running rampant in front of goal. Last week, they crushed Fichardt Park 7-0.
Prolific goal scorer, Bianca Rees-Gibbs, fired four more past the Clarendon goal-minder, while Eunice’s captain, Trusten Barnard, scored twice and Storm Harris, Megan Joubert, Georgia Kambanis, and Anebel Venter added one each.
“I was very proud of our passing game. Again, a massive team effort all-round. And we took our opportunities being fearless in the circle,” Coertzen reckoned.
The Eunice coach, while satisfied by the progress her young team has made this season, refuses to be carried away by recent results and maintains that there is still work to be done to fortify certain areas of their play.
Results
Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 3-1 St John’s DSG, Eunice 10-1 Clarendon
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