HEART BREAK

Category: Sportelizabeth

Date Added: 2 March 2010

BAY UNITED FALL AT FINAL HURDLE

BAY UNITED FALL AT FINAL HURDLE

Bay United's dream of returning to the Absa Premiership after one season back in the National First Division evaporated in two hugely disappointing home games at the end of the season. Umlilo's 2009/10 campaign had looked so promising for so long that it had become almost accepted that the PE-based outfit would make the promotion-relegation playoffs at worst. "We dropped the ball on this one," said general manager Nomalungelo 'Lumsi' Mooi ruefully as she reflected on the team's final two matches. "We were at home at the EPRU stadium for both games and there's frustration and sadness that the team fell short. Our aim was to get back into the PSL,   ending third on the log was not part of the plan."

The record books will show, however, that with destiny beckoning, Bay United lost their  penultimate game one-nil to Carara Kicks and then drew 2-2 with Thanda Royal Zulu the following week to finish in third place on the Coastal Stream table. Vasco da Gama were crowned Coastal Stream Champions and will be joined in the promotional playoffs by second-placed Nathi Lions.

After a long season in which Umlilo did so much good, Mooi was not about to start pointing fingers. "We were at the top of the table for most of the first round and it got a little bumpy in the second and third round yet we were still right there at the end. The players did what they could and now we have to move forward. Crying about it is not going to change anything."

Mooi recalls that when Botswana national David Bright took over as coach last year he  had less than a month to work with the players before the start of the season. "That was a great effort right there. David has a two year mandate to get us back into the PSL. He did a great job and I'm expecting him to stay. Now we have time on our side and its up to team management to make sure David has everything he needs before the new season starts in the second half of the year."

Bright will have a little more than five months to pick up the pieces and it will start with a comprehensive report back from the technical team on the past season. "We're going to analyze the entire campaign and by the end of April we hope to have defined our strategy going forward," said Mooi. "The idea is to have our plan in place by the time pre-season starts. Obviously we'll look at a number of contracts which are up for renew and the signing of new players. We are always open to new ideas but I'm comfortable that everyone did their bit. Its not all doom and gloom and I'm sure our time will come."

A final challenge facing Bay United next season will be that of securing a permanent home venue with good training facilities. Both the Westbourne Oval and the EPRU Stadium were used for home matches last season (the Xerox Stadium at the NMMU also hosted a game)  but Mooi wants to see more permanency and a place they can properly call home. "It is a challenge and we're already in talks with the municipality. I'm hopeful that the Metro will come up with a better plan for next season."