Ratnam SC in 4-1 win over Saunders

Bernard Perera

The Saunders-Ratnam clash which was the key game this week-end saw the Pettah Club go down to the Kotahena Club, four goals to one at the City Football League ground yesterday.Though everyone expected this to be a keenly contested game it did not reach high standards.

Saunders SC got into the lead with only four minutes into the game but could not maintain it for long when Chrishantha Abeysekera found the net for the equaliser.

Both sides tried every tactic to push forward but none could do so and the first half ended with the scores on level terms (1-1).

Second session began with Ratnam SC combining well and was seen going on the attack. They had most of the possession. Referee Dilan Perera was a busy man during this period with Saunders trying to play a tough game going for man rather than the ball.

This resulted in the referee showing the warning signals on many occasions. Play continued with Ratnam attacking the opponents territory in every opportunity that was there but could not find the correct target to go ahead.

In the 72nd minute it was Chrishantha Abeysekera once again who found the right target to put the Kotahena team in front. Saunders at this stage made many good moves with passes that were clean, but the strikers failed to add to the score.

The luck turned once again on Ratnam SC when penalty was awarded for foul play in the danger area. Former national skipper and present coach cum player Dudley Steinwall made no mistake with the kick and added the third goal for the Ratnam score.

Saunders players put more pressure and were seen always in the opponents territory.

They were found guilty of rough play once again and the referee had to pull out the red card to order Saunders skipper out of the field, making them a ten-a-side team. Just five minutes later M. F. F. Rahaman was ordered off the field by referee.

This resulted in play being stopped for few minutes as Saunders players attacked a Ratnam player. With the intervention of the officials the matter was sorted out and play continued. Malik Migara scored the fourth goal for the Kotahena Club with five minutes left for the final whistle. This also sealed victory for the Ratnam SC by four goals to one. They now head the points table with four points from two games.

Army triumph

In a another game played at the Football Federation grounds, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Army defeated Negombo Youth Sports Club four goals to three. The lemons were taken with scores level 1-1.