Nelson Mandela Bay’s future hope for Premier Soccer League participation, Bay Stars, narrowly missed out on a chance of further competition in the Nedbank Cup play-offs against current Vodacom League log leaders FC Buffalo at the Gelvandale Stadium on Saturday 5 November 2011.
Although the first half ended goalless high drama unfolded as the teams persistently tested each other’s defensive lines, but their efforts remained unrewarded.
FC Buffalo managed to open their account late in the second half and unfortunately the home team could not capitalise on opportunities on a pitch where the wind exceeded 50 kilometres per hour.
The Nedbank Cup is the South African equivalent of the English FA Cup where teams in lower divisions compete against Premier Soccer League sides. This however doesn’t benefit the clubs in terms of promotion to the First Division, an aspiration of which Bay Stars is vigorously in pursuit.
Bay Stars Managing Director, Mr Tony Lovegrove, said although the loss against a strong outfit was disappointing, the team can take a lot from the fact that they dominated 80% of the game, their goal was very opportunistic and we did not convert our many chances during the 1st half and also towards the latter part of the match.
“This and several other aspects of the match will especially be meaningful since we’ll have to take them on in the Vodacom League. I have no doubt that the boys will then get the better of them when it matters most,” he added.
Bay Stars is currently second on the log of the Vodacom League after three wins and a goalless draw against Kokstad Liverpool while FC Buffalo is topping the log with four wins.
