NYSC-Ratnam on equal terms

Army stun Blue Star SC:

Bernard Perera

SOCCER: Negombo Youth Sports Club which occupied the third slot in the standings of the Kit Premier League took a step forward to be joint leaders with Ratnam Sports Club 20 points each. Negombo Youth defeated Sri Lanka Air Force four goals to one at police ground over the weekend.

The three points they gained from this victory became very vital for the defending champions Negombo team. They lost to Blue Star Sports Club in an earlier game and allowed the Kalutara team to go above them. But the Negombo lads got their act together and came back strongly to overcome the loss.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Army came up with a sterling performance when they beat Blue Stars Sports Club two goals to one at CR & FC ground. The Soldiers before this game stunned Ratnam Sports Club beating them 2-1.

This was Ratnam SC's first loss this season which could also bring their morale down. On the other side it was a good one for Negombo Youth as they got the opportunity of getting on to equal terms with Ratnam SC.

Last weekend saw another sensation when the lowly placed Renown Sports Club outplayed one time giants from Pettah Saunders SC 2 goals to one at the Sports Ministry ground. Saunders SC who were favourites on this day could not fulfill their ambitions, thus they have to stay at the same position.

Sri Lanka Army with their two good wins in the second round also took two steps forward to reach the fifth slot in the standings. This week's matches will have a big bearing on the standings of the top three teams.

Results:

Segment A

Negombo Youth SC beat SL Air Force 4-1 at Police grounds.

Renown SC beat Saunders SC 2-1 at Sports Ministry ground, Reid Avenue.

Kandy York SC beat SL Police SC 4-2 at Bogambara stadium, Kandy.

SL Army SC beat Blue Star SC 2-1 at CR & FC ground.

This week's fixtures:

Segment 'A'

Saturday: Blue Star SC vs Negombo Youth SC at Kalutara stadium at 3.30 p.m. Kandy York SC vs Ratnam SC at Bogambara 3.30 p.m.

Sunday: Police SC vs Renown SC at CR & FC grounds 3.30 p.m. Saunders SC vs SL Air Force at Sugathadasa Stadium.

Segment B

Sunday: Red Sun SC vs Java Lane SC at Weegulawatte, Gampola at 3.30 p.m.

Golden Star SC vs Jupiters SC at Bogambara Stadium at 3.30 p.m. Old Bens SC vs Kalutara Park SC at St. Benedict's College grounds at 3.30 p.m. New Youngs SC vs Matara SC at Wennappuwa at 3.30 p.m.