East London Central LFA concluded its 2023 football season on Sunday at the North End Stadium, in front of a huge appreciative crowd, when Pride of India and Centre of Excellence clashed in the inaugural Peter Saville Memorial FA Cup final.
Pride of India were 2-0 up within the first 20 minutes but their opponents would draw level with seconds remaining to take the match to the dreaded penalty shootout.
The newly crowned Premiership champions Pride of India had to see the match out with 10 men after Riaaz Frazer was given a straight red for an off the ball incident by senior match official Freddie Cochran, who had an outstanding match.
Pride of India held their nerve to prevail 3-2 on penalties to complete an historical treble after annexing the ELCLFA Easter Tournament and the Premiership this season.
Pride of India’s Sachin Dawood was voted player of the tournament.
United FC won the third-place playoff by a solitary goal against CUBS.
Future Boys beat Atletico 4-0 in the Ginger Love U12 Cup final and Riverside 3-2 in the Shane Benny Memorial U14 Cup final. Avuyonke Ngqawule (Future Boys U12) and Sanelise Sisusa (Future Boys U14) were voted players of the tournament.
Vergenoeg-based Atlantic Spurs were crowned the James Alexander U10 KO champions, beating league champions Future Boys 2-0. Rozane Stewart (Atlantic Spurs) was voted player of the tournament.
Centre of Excellence won a hard-fought 1-0 Joe Hendricks Memorial U16 KO Cup final against league champions Riverside. Angela Makhwedini (Centre of Excellence) was voted player of the tournament.
Riverside U18s completed the league and cup double, beating Centre of Excellence 2-1 in the U18 KO Cup final. Onwaba Xhotyeni (Riverside) was player of the tournament.
Imonti Cambridge Ladies completed the Star Bakeries-sponsored league and cup double when they beat The Dream Team 1-0 in the final. Bamanye Nkunjana (25 goals) was awarded the golden boot and Tholoana Mashoai was footballer of the year. Imihle Dlakavu from Imonti Cambridge Ladies was voted KO player of the tournament.
Results:
Ginger Love U12 KO final:
Atletico 0 Future Boys 4
Shane Benny Memorial U14 KO final:
Riverside 1 Future Boys 3
Joe Hendricks Memorial U16 KO final:
Centre of Excellence 3 Riverside 2
ELCLFA U18 KO final:
Riverside 3 Centre of Excellence 2
James Alexander U10 KO final:
Future Boys 0 Atlantic Spurs 2
ELCLFA Women KO final:
Imonti Cambridge Ladies 1 The Dream Team 0
Peter Saville Memorial FA Cup:
Third & fourth place playoffs:
United 1 Cubs 0
Peter Saville Memorial FA Cup final:
Pride of India 2 (3) Centre of Excellence 2 (2)
