Subs sail in to take title as Lion City slip up

THE thrilling finish expected in the Safa-NMB turned out to be an anti- climax on Saturday when log-leaders Subs scored an easy 3-1 win over Callies at the NU2 Stadium in Motherwell to clinch the title, and challengers Lion City lost 2-0 to Highland Spurs in KwaNobhule.

Subs went into the final match of the season with a two-point lead over City. For both teams it was a must-win game.

While Callies had nothing to play for as they could finish no better than third, Spurs needed to win to secure fourth place.

If Subs had been held to a draw and City beat Spurs, City would have won the league on goal difference.

"We were tied 0-0 with Spurs at half time and when news reached us [from Motherwell] that Subs were leading 3-0 soon after, the boys threw in the towel," a despondent City owner Dr Ngubo Biyana said.

"However, I am very proud of the boys. After losing our first match 4-0 to Subs and finding ourselves eight or nine points behind midway in the season, they lived up to their name and fought like real lions to get within a hair's breadth [of winning the league]. We will be back," he said.

In their match against Callies, Ludwe Sonjica put Subs 1-0 ahead midway through the first half. Zuksakhe Sali made the half-time score 2-0.

Immediately after the break Xolelani Mkiva made it 3-0 before Callies netted a consolation goal.

At the bottom of the log, Motherwell Academy and Sunrise Development, who will be relegated to their respective local football associations, both lost their matches.

Sunrise lost 3-0 to Despatch Pioneers while Motherwell went down 3-2 to Camper United.

Results: Hotspurs 1 Tomorrow Stars 1; Highland Spurs 2 Lion City 0; Island City 2 Showvillage United 0; Subs 3 Callies 1; Despatch Pioneers 3 Sunrise Development 0; Motherwell Academy 2 Camper United 3; Central Acemates 1 Peace United 2 - Mogan Segadavan