Matroosfontein FC coach Edgar Francis admitted it was a bridge too far after succumbing to Cape Town Spurs by 1-2 in the Coke Cup final for Boys under-18 at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
“I think the pace was too hot and the difference in the two teams showed on the day,” Francis conceded.
“But it was a good experience for the players and they made the club proud.
“We can take a lot of heart and lessons from this game. I think in the end it was a bridge too far for us,” Francis admitted.
Both teams were quick out of the starting blocks, but it was Spurs who drew first blood through the live-wire Luke “Boere” Baartman when he found him in the right place at the right time to steer a cross from the right flank into the nets.
As expected, Spurs had the lion’s share of possession and controlled the game well with their passing ability.
Matroos had their moments but lacked composure in the final third and were not able to trouble the Spurs goalie Ethan Engel.
Whatever Francis said at half-time, inspired his players as they were on the front foot from after the break.
Their pressure eventually paid off when they were awarded a penalty just minutes after the resumption of the second half.
Tauric Gamildien made no mistake, levelling matters at 1-1 for Matroos and it was game on.
It must be noted that Spurs were lucky as the ref failed to punish the deliberate handball on the goal line – even a yellow card would have been in order but surprisingly nothing was given.
As the second half grew, Spurs started to take the ascendancy and the class between the Academy and the amateur team started to show.
Spurs eventually put their noses in front with a well-taken header goal from Mogamat Solomon which blew the wind out of Matroos’ sails.
Spurs continued to pile on the pressure but couldn’t put the final nail in the coffin. In the end, they were well-deserved winners.
