Smuts United make Oyster history for Sedgefield

FOOTBALL NEWS - For the very first time in the history of the Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament, a team from Sedgefield emerged as victors. Smuts United, from Smutsville in Sedgefield, are very firmly leaving their mark on the local soccer scene through continued domination.

Smuts United came up against Hornlee-based FC Rebels in the final of the tournament on Sunday 10 July with neither of the two sides having won a Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament before - a title which is considered the jewel in the crown of the Knysna Local Football Association's annual cup competitions calendar.

PHOTO GALLERY: Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament

This meant that regardless of the outcome there would be a new name etched into the annals of the Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament.

This special occasion received a befitting venue in the form of the A-field at Loerie Park, which hosted a soccer match for the first time three years.

The last time a soccer match was played on the A-field at Loerie Park was in August 2019 when it played host to the final of the President's Cup.

What made this year's Oyster Tournament final all the more special was that it featured two teams from the KLFA Domestic League, with all three teams from the Safa Eden Regional Men's League having fallen out in the knock-out stages.

Smuts United and FC Rebels both defeated one of the regional teams on their way to the final, with the former beating CX Celtics in the semi-finals and the latter defeating FC United in the quarterfinals.

But, before the two sides could kick off on Sunday, a few more finals in other divisions of the tournament needed to take place.

Smuts United players and staff celebrate their victory with their trophy.

In the U13 division Smuts United needed penalties to overcome Pine Stars, winning 5-4 at the end of the shootout. Pine Stars however came out on top in the U16 division where they defeated Richmond City 4-0. Finally, in the women's division it was an all-Southern Stars affair as their A and B sides faced off and the A side emerged victorious by a 5-2 scoreline.

The main event started at 14:00, as Smuts United and FC Rebels kicked off what turned out to be a pulsating encounter with no one ever comfortably on top of the game for an extended period.

Smuts drew first blood midway through the first half, but Rebels equalised just before half-time to ensure the game was evenly poised at 1-1 at the break.

Smuts United retook the lead in the later stages of the second half to go 2-1 up, before doubling their lead not long thereafter to earn a 3-1 lead. But, FC Rebels bounced back immediately with a bizarre goal - as Smuts United were celebrating their third goal with every player in the opposing half, the referee resumed the game and Rebels were able to run away and score an uncontested goal.

This meant the score was 3-2, and the final 10 minutes were as tense as they can be. Both sides had opportunities, but Smuts United managed to hold on to win their first Knysna Oyster Soccer Tournament title.

They now hold both the Easter and Oyster Tournament titles, and if they win the KLFA Domestic League (which they lead at present) they will be the first-ever club to win all three in a single calendar year.

Photos: Blake Linder