Ilinge’s Young Minds Development FC missed a chance to close the gap against SAB Regional League Stream B leaders, Dongwe’s MK Academy FC, when they played to a goalless draw against AFC Komani Stars at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex in Komani on Saturday.
The first half saw Young Minds start well, but the home side grew in confidence during the match and they exerted pressure on the visitors’ defence without scoring.
The draw saw the Ilinge-based side miss an opportunity to close the gap on MK Academy, who are the table toppers on the SAB Regional League Stream B standings.
The home side remain in the middle of the table, as they are now in sixth position.
Young Minds’ head coach, Siyabulela Yiweni, blamed a long break in the SAB Regional League, due to teams that had matches in hand needing to catch up on those games.
“We were not playing for a long time because of the catchup games, so I think this break played a huge role in players not finding the back of the net.
“The players were starting gel before the break we got from the office.
“We really needed this win to close the gap to MK Academy, but it was not to be as they won their game against Holy Kings. But we have few games to play and they also have games to play, anyone can slip going to the last games of the season,” concluded Yiweni.
To rub salt into the wound, MK Academy managed to extend their lead to six points on top of SAB Regional League Stream B log table, after beating Holy Kings FC, of Ezibeleni, 2-1 on the same day.
Young Minds might lose second spot on the table if Roman Callies of Ezibeleni win their game against Molteno’s 12 Aces FC. The game between the two teams was stopped because of heavy rain on Saturday.
The Ezibeleni side was leading 1-0 when the match officials decided to stop the game as the pitch was not playable.
