Heart-warming finale

HEARTS dashed Central Acemates' hopes of completing the Pefa League and Cup double when they beat the Premier League champions 2-0 in the season finale on Saturday.

After a goalless first half in the knockout cup final at the Westbourne Oval, Bob Yuill gave Hearts a well-deserved lead before Sizwe Simbulambo sealed the game with an absolute cracker.

The victory gave Hearts their first major championship since they won the same trophy in 2004.

While not taking anything away from Hearts' well-deserved victory, Acemates were without several of their leading players who have moved over to their team competing in the Safa-NMB SAB4 League.

This is a problem faced by many local football association (LFA) clubs with teams in the SAB League. Because of the lack of depth in their squads, their LFA teams are depleted when they win promotion to the SAB League as their season overlaps with the LFA season.

Callies, Hotspurs and, more recently, Fairview Rovers have struggled in their domestic competitions because of this.

In a one-sided Women's League final, Mustangs beat Highbury 9-0.

To complete Callies' worst season in recent history, they lost both the First Division and Premier Reserve finals.

In the First Division, they lost 5-4 to St George's Rangers in a penalty shootout after the match ended at 2-2. In the Premier Reserves, they lost 3-1 to NMMU Madibaz.

PE City Bats beat Hearts Hornets 2-1 in the Second Division KO Cup.