Imagine if YMO FC had to be last on the log without any wins or points…
Imagine what the season campaigners would say? – maybe something like: “This league is no joke and you cannot just rock up and expect to impose yourself?” In a way subtly mocking the newcomer.
To the contrary, It might still be early days and anything can still happen, however, one has to give credit to the rookies YMO under the tutelage of head coach Franklyn Davies for their impressive showing in the debut season of the Hollywoodbets Third Division campaign.
Honestly speaking, no one would have given Davies’ side a top-half position, seventh to be exact after 10 games. They went about their business last week and extended their unbeaten run to four games after they edged out another impressive side this season, the third-placed Wanderers FC last Friday.
Prior to this, they also humbled some of the title contenders like Cape Town City by 3-0 and took points off log leaders and favourites Diadora FC with a 1-1 draw.
Bear in mind Davies started from a clean slate after the Walmer Estate-based club acquired the status of Crystal Palace last year which meant that ‘Tollie’ as he is called, had to use all his experience to assemble and attract decent enough players to compete – and thus far he has done some solid and credible work with the newbie.
Even the club’s owner Mark Slinger is pleasantly surprised as he knows the demands of the league – both on and off the field.
“Well, you know what they say, there is always room for improvement,” Slinger stated to No Bones with Jones. “That said, we can feel satisfied thus far although there were games we could have bagged more points,” he added.
There is no doubt that Davies will approach their game against his boyhood club Silver Spurs at the Johnston Road Sportsfield on Friday evening with a chip on his shoulder and why not? The log does not lie. So, one can expect the banter and emotions to be on another level for obvious reasons.
Davies admitted it will be a nostalgic occasion to share the touchline with his friends and former teammates.
“It will be a sore point so let me rather not comment on the game,” Davies reacted to No Bones with Jones. “This is a club very close to my heart and honestly speaking I don’t want to play this match, but the reality is there are three points at stake. And I have to give all the credit to my boys for the resilience and character so far in the league,” Davies concluded.
Davies’ side is seven better off than the 13th-placed Spurs and he would love nothing more than to rub their noses in their own “Sandpit.”
