The worst months of the year are over! LSL league football is back underway, and what a weekend it was for the Lesco boys.
On the opening day, Lesco FC were drawn against LSL newcomers Azaadville FC. In the pre-match press conference the Lesco coaches stressed the importance of the element of surprise. Coach Zer was quoted saying 'It`s difficult to set the team because we don`t know how they play yet, but the most important thing is we come out of the gates flying!'
The Lesco players took heed to their young coaches words and were off to a flyer! Quick interchanges in the opponents third forced a corner to Lesco. Taken short, winger Faheem Wania delivers a delightful ball into the 6 yard box where Lesco`s man of the match, Zaahid Seedat, could only head the ball over the bar. The usual Lesco back four was disrupted by the absence of right back, Muhammed `bassa` Moosa, which saw right winger Zaid Cassim slot in for him. Only the second time the tricky winger played the role of right back, and for the second time in a row he was outstanding. Watch out Muhammed Bassa!!
Just a few minutes later, quick touches between Jackson Melanzi and Delano O`shea, seen the latter force a good save from Azaadville`s number one. However he could not keep the ball out of the net much longer as another good cross from Faheem found striker Yaaseen Essof on the edge of the 18 who was thought to be fouled, but before referee Shakeer could blow the whistle, Delano dropped his shoulder past a defender and placed the ball in the bottom left. A special celebration followed, looks as if the boys have been doing their own training coaches!!
Azaadville responded well after conceding. A Lesco corner found Azaadville`s number 11 on the counter. After a brilliant run, he could only put the ball wide of the outright. Another quick counter attack seen first major involvement from Lesco keeper, Muhammed Sharief Mayet, who caught the ball in his safe hands.
Folowing another short corner, this time put across by striker Yaaseen Essof, met the foot of Zaahid Seedat, this time he made no mistakes by tapping in Lesco`s second of the day. The lanky defender is proving to be a real nuisance for opposing teams from set pieces. Lesco FC`s third goal came from good work out wide by Faheem Wania, who forced a save from the Azaadville keeper, who could only push the ball into the path of Skillo Melanzie, who calmly finished. The goal seen the midfielders brilliant start to the season continue.
The second half seen Lesco dominate the ball, largely due to Muhammed Hoosen`s Genaro Gattuso-esque performance. The midfielder again proving the importance of a defensive midfielder. The chances kept coming but would not go in as Cebo Dlamini`s effort flew high over the bar. Another chance seen newboy, Dev Vashi, fondly known as Devvy, in the 18 yard area but the marksman could not pull the trigger.
Azaadville`s best chance of the game came from a free kick, which beat MS Mayet, but defender Seedat capped off an amazing performance with a goal line clearance to keep the clean sheet intact! The follow up shot ricocheted off the crossbar and was cleared out.
A good first competitive appearance seen an ovation for Muhammed Riyaad Cajee as he made way for one of his colleagues. With consistant training and refining of his already impressive skills, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a regular on the team sheet. A special mention has to go out to returning Lesco player Zakariyya Pandor. Out for most of the pre-season, he showed that class is permanent with a impressive cameo. Even though he was fasting, he would not miss this particular game for the world. Most of his classmates lined up for the opposition team and he was keen to give them a proper beating, even assisting his coaches with some tactics.
The match ended 3-0 to Lesco FC. The coaches comments leaned towards the praise of defender Zaahid Seedat, who`s dominant defensive performance seen him become undoubtedly the man of the match. Author Yaaseen Amanjee. Stats Credit Aaqib Deshmukh.
