Army SC beat Police SC 3-1 in a very physical match played at the Police Park Grounds. Police has been performing this season in patches compared to Army who has dominated all the matches.
Army started off well with former Sri Lanka player Mohamed Issadeen scoring in the 6th minute. There on in both defenses held firm from the constant attacking threats until half time. Police started the second half brightly but went 2-0 down from a goal by M.B.De Silva after brilliant work done by Issadeen. Minutes later the home side scored their first when Sampath Pathirana guided a Rajitha Jayavilal cross into the back of the net. Police rejuvenated by the goal searched for an equalizer but were shut down when D.S. Gunasinghe scored the third for Army in the 78th minute.
A second half rally saw Colombo FC down Matara City Club 4-1 at Kew Points Road. Matara City dominated the first half with O.V. Ikenna tormenting the Colombo FC defense from right. N. Sandeepa gave Matara City the lead heading in the rebound from his initial header. The visitors could have doubled their lead if not for a horrendous call from the line referee where he deemed the player was off side. Colombo FC had a few free kicks but they were off target. Colombo FC got a gift of a goal after the restart when goal scorer for Matara messed up an easy clearance which looped over the keeper for an own goal. And a minute later the home team took the lead through D.Kumara’s perfect header from a Mohideen cross. In the 70th minute African player Dimitri made it 3-1 for Colombo after turning in a through ball from Frank. The home side had opportunities but was denied by some brilliant defending from the Matara’s Goalkeeper and Suresh Kumara. Neat passing in the penalty box led to substitute N. Kanishka slottinjg in the 4th for Colombo in the 90th minute.
Kurunegala Pelicans’ created a upset when they defeated the unbeaten Solid SC 2-1 at the Maligapitiya Grounds. This was a shock result but from the beginning Pelicans played an organized game. The goals came in the last 15 minutes when D.N. Ekanayaka scored a brace for the home side in the 77th and 85th minute. Solid’s consolation goal came in injury time through L.B. Ali.
There was another shock result where New Youngs defeated the high riding Up-Country Lions 2-0 at the Albert F. Peiris Stadium. This was a morale boosting win for the New Youngs team as they have been underperforming in the last few matches. K.N. Kolawole scored the first in the 11th minute and R.P. Fernando added the second in the 70th minute.
Nandimithra SC snatched victory with a goal deep into injury time by D.A. Jayashan. Nandimithra’s S.Satheeswaran scored the opener in the 13th minute which was equalized two minutes later by S.B. Yousuf. P.N. Priyankara’s goal gave Nandimithra the lead into half time. Halfway through the second half K.R. Malinga again made it 2 all but Kalutara were left dejected after not been able to collect a point.
The misery continued for Super Sun as they were beaten comprehensively 4-0 by Saunders. The only goal in the first half was scored by Sudara Madushanka in the 21st minute. Sri Lanka youth player Chalana Chameera made it 2-0 in the 66th minute. Sudara scored his second goal 5 minutes from time and Sanoj Sameera added the fourth in the final minute.
Two first half goals gave Navy SC a 2-0 win over Ratnam SC played at the CR & FC grounds. Malik Migara strike gave Navy the lead in the 10th minute and a 41st minute goal from Chathuranga Silva made it 2-0. Ratnam strived desperately for goals in the second half but were unable to pierce a solid Navy defense.
An injury time goal by Devinda Bandara gave Air Force an unlikely 1-0 win over inform Blue Star Sports Club. Both sides displayed impressive defending skills throughout the match and were destined to share points before the strike from Devinda.
A dominant display saw Java Lane emerge 2-0 winners over Negombo Youth played at the City Football League Grounds. The score would have been much worse for Negombo Youth if not for a brilliant goalkeeping display by Mohamed Waseem. Both sides had chances in the opening half but were unable to capitalize on it. Ten minutes after the restart winger Mohamed Najibdeen gave the home side the lead. In the 85th Ruwansiri Samarawickrama clamly slotted home the second from the penalty spot.
Renown fought back to win 2-1 against Don Bosco at the Don Bosco Grounds in Negombo. Mohamed Fasal scored the opener for Renown in the 24th minute but they took the foot off the peddle and Don Bosco started to dictate terms. The home side leveled the terms in the 63rd with a strike from M. Zacharie. Renown then icked up their game and Mohamed Anam scored the winner in the 77th minute.
