Greyton Roses take positives from opening-day defeat to All Stars at the Graveyard

To survive their first season in the South African fourth tier was no mean feat for the Sports News Blitz-sponsored Greyton Roses.

Having only been formed in 2020, during the pandemic, the SAFA Overberg HollywoodBets Regional League team were competing in just their second ever competitive campaign, after earning promotion the season before.

The small-town team secured survival in dramatic fashion with one game of the 2023/24 league to play, ahead of bottom sides SAFA Overberg and local rivals Helderstroom.

Heading into the new season, expectations have centered around improving on last term's finish, alongside the continued growth of the club, explained manager Trevor Kramer.

"It's no question that this season will be more competitive if you look at the teams in the league,” he told Sports News Blitz.

“We have a good idea of the strengths of each team now having played the majority of clubs twice, so we know what we are up against."

Unfortunately it wasn't to be as the league kicked off on Saturday with Roses suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nanini Na All Stars.

Single-minded determination

Coming up against the team that had eliminated the club from the Nedbank Cup just a few weeks back - where they conceded two early goals in a 3-1 defeat - there was a fierce determination to start this game on the front-foot.

And after a competitive and goalless first half at the Uitkyk Stadium, it was a goal two minutes into the second period from striker Cuthbert Majiwa that settled the tie.

The All Stars forward connected perfectly to an in-swinging delivery from the right-hand side from full-back James Nondwana to steer the ball past Roses goalkeeper Sandile Jantjies and into the back of the net.

"It wasn't the result the team had hoped for,” added Kramer. "But the performance was a significant improvement from just three weeks ago."

The team dug in from the start to break down any opposition attack and keep the ball as far upfield as possible, where Roses striker James Villett was identified as a threat for his runs in behind the All Stars defence.

Wide players Ayanda Khumalo and Edward Chikufenji were also causing havoc for their defenders, with a number of crosses aimed at the strong number nine.

Opportunities limited

Elsewhere on the pitch, defensive midfielder Sanele Shabane combined well with attacking counterparts Francisco Kandianso and Thabiso Mangana to dominate the central areas, but goal-scoring opportunities for both sides were largely limited.

A dogged first half for the hosts, meanwhile, ended with an injury blow to Khumalo, who was forced off with a dislocated right knee, and replaced by Lusanda Gobile.

All Stars were lively following the restart, and broke the deadlock with an expertly-dispatched volley. An inswinging delivery from the right-hand side bypassed the backline to leave Jantjies with no chance.

Roses head coach Jeff Oliver introduced wide attacker Yanic Delport for a tiring Villet and the substitute almost made an immediate impact as he reacted well to a good through ball from Kandiado, only to be shepherded away from goal.

All Stars then forced Jantjies into a strong save as he tipped a rasping shot on to his crossbar before collecting the ball as it dropped.

Much-needed impetus

Kiaan Louw replaced Shabane for the final 20 minutes and he added some much-needed impetus to the attack. The best chance of the afternoon ultimately fell to Mangana, with 10 minutes of the match remaining, but he curled his effort just past the right-hand upright.

"It was a good performance against a good team," explained Oliver. "We can't judge our progress by how many games we win early in the season because there will be plenty of tough games ahead.

“We are a young team, still learning our way around this league and our focus is on improving with every game we play. For some of these boys it is their first time playing at this level."

Roses are next in action away to Botrivier Stars on Saturday.