A CARNIVAL atmosphere filled Breidbach Sports Grounds for the fifth annual Goodwill Games held between the Breidbach Football Association and EL Central at the weekend.
The community came in their hundreds to watch a feast of football action produced by the two powerhouse associations as they competed in various categories from under-10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and seniors up to the over-35s.
Breidbach only managed to secure wins in the over-35s and senior sections and the two teams shared the spoils in the U10 category.
Winning this edition means EL Central FA (ELCFA) has kept an unbeaten record since the inception of the games.
The Goodwill Games came into being to strengthen the good relationship between the two bodies – Breidbach Football Association and ELCFA – and to provide players with a platform to compete against some of the region’s best opponents.
Two Breidbach U8 sides opened the action-packed day. This was followed by the U14s game which saw EL Central win 2-0, followed by their U12s winning 3-0.
The U16 game saw EL Central making their intentions clear from the onset to emerge 5-2 winners followed by the U10s which ended in a goalless draw.
Breidbach over-35s restored the pride, winning their encounter 3-2, but EL Central bounced back when their U18s beat Breidbach 2-0.
The seniors encounter got the local supporters on their feet as Breidbach took the game to their opponents’ territory but failed to find the target.
Their opponents found their rhythm, carried the ball to Breidbach’s box and shot but found a well-placed Raylin Bramwell, who made a save with ease.
Both teams wasted a few more chances to score, ending the first half goalless.
The second half saw the home side make some changes with Nejuan Thompson and veteran Ashley Newton coming off the bench. The changes seemed to work as both found the back of the nets.
That was the end of the scoring, with Breidbach winning 2-0.
EL Central general manager Vuyo Zambodla commended the two associations for the quality of football produced and wished them both well with the upcoming Inter-LFA (Local Football Association) tournament to be hosted in Port Elizabeth next month.
EL Central also brought two trophies – one going to EL Central U14 goalkeeper Cameron Witbooi for player of the tournament and the other for Breidbach’s U10 side.
