Appeal for local business backing as thrilling, high-scoring derby ends 9-0

THE long-awaited first-ever Over 50s Verulam Derby finally arrived, and it was a spectacle to remember as Verulam Sporting produced a masterclass performance to beat Verulam Legends 9-0 in a one-sided, yet entertaining, clash at the Verulam Recreation Grounds on Saturday.

- DAILY NEWS REPORTER

Anticipation had been building for weeks in the local football community, with both sets of players - friends off the pitch but fierce competitors on it - eager to claim bragging rights in this historic fixture.

But when the whistle blew, it was the league leaders, Verulam Sporting, who stamped their authority early and never looked back.

The opening minutes were characteristically portrayed by Sporting’s trademark fast start, as they had the Legends defence under constant pressure.

First, Tsepo Ntsoane rattled the post with a powerful strike, followed moments later by Lungelo “Nyamfu” Zulu doing the same.

The warning signs were clear.

The opening goal should have come soon after when China Mdladla found himself with the goal at his mercy, but his shot went agonisingly wide with the Legends goalkeeper stranded.

Sporting could easily have been 3-0 up inside the opening six minutes, but somehow the score remained goalless until the 12th minute, when Power Damane unleashed a thunderous drive from distance to give Sporting a deserved 1-0 lead.

From then on, the floodgates opened and a goal from Nyamfu Zulu, followed by a beautifully worked team move finished off by Thulani Gogo, saw Sporting race to a 3-0 lead.