Goalkeeper error sees Holy Cross steal the match

1398

Tense match between St. Joseph’s College and Holy Cross College Kalutara saw a goalkeeping error on St. Joseph’s side only to be capitalised by Holy Cross College, thus earning them a 1-0 victory at the 2016 Kotmale Chox School’s football tournament. 

The atmosphere was tense as both these teams possessed the confidence to be on top at the end of the game.

It has to be said, however, the two schools had to battle it out in a rather unsuitable Rathmalana Railway Grounds that proved to be an obstacle to both teams in many instances during the course of the match.

Immediately after the whistle was blown Holy Cross College proved to be the more potent as they were working the ball up from the midfield towards the attacking third creating few half chances for Udara Perera.

Furthermore they proved to be the more aggressive as well when Mohamed Shahmi was given a yellow just 3 minutes into the match for a hard tackle on Chamath Rashmitha.

Photo Album – St.Joseph’s College v Holy Cross College – Schools Football 2016

However, the St. Joseph’s defence organised itself and responded in kind by stringing up many dangerous counter attacks through a sharp Amila Dananjaya by driving the ball to the wingers, especially on the right which saw Jason Fernando doing justice to most of the passes that came his way.

Midway through in the first half, the game became bogged down as neither of the players from both teams could reach their counterpart’s penalty box as the midfielders preferred to play a deeper role which allowed them to assist the back four easily.

This saw many players, mainly the Josephians, take their chances outside the penalty box. All of them skewering high and wide, except one where Asela Madushan bursts from the right wing to give in a high cross that landed to the feet of an unmarked Chamath Rashmitha which gave him ample time to compose himself and place the ball, however, completely miscues his shot to just go out for a goal kick.

Holy Cross College then conceded many unwanted fouls in their own half, which allowed Sachintha Maduranga to take advantage of one, a few yards away from the penalty box and came very close to scoring as his shot beat the wall and the keeper, but rattled the woodwork.

A few minutes later, Holy Cross College attempted to break the deadlock when a poor clearance from the St. Joseph’s defence saw Udara Perera in a one on one with the keeper only to lob it over the keeper and the bar, thus leading to a goal kick.

The half ended in a rather classic stalemate.

Half Time – St. Joseph’s College 0 – 0 Holy Cross College

The second half started very similar to that of the first, however, the Josephians were the ones that made a statement by trying let loose Nimesh Salinda on the left which ultimately was dealt with by the Holy Cross defenders.

Both teams opted not to change their style of play, thus the reason as to why the second half had a stark resemblance to the first.

This all changed, however, when one of the counter attacks led by Udara Perera of Holy Cross College drove in a low cross from the left which was a simple take for the Josephian keeper, or so it seemed. The keeper completely fumbles the ball which made it across to a completely free Danushka Thushan to tap it into an open net.

Holy Cross College seemed satisfied with the goal and opted to bolster the defence with Mohamed Shahmi really taking charge. This saw the midfield drop back to create, more or less, a back eight in the Holy Cross defence.

The change in the Holy Cross game did not, however, shake the Josephian attack as they kept on pressing with the back four implementing a highline.

The perseverance of the Josephian attack led to many chances which only lacked the finishing touch.

The closest one being the pass from the right, from Jason who allowed the overlapping Nimesh Salinda to take a low shot at the edge of the box which just brushed past the post.

The Holy Cross defence proved too much for the Josephians to break down as the match ended 1 –0 to the boys from Kalutara.

Full Time – St. Joseph’s College 0 – 1 Holy Cross College

ThePapare.com player of the match – Mohamed Shahmi (Holy Cross College)

Goal Scorers
Holy Cross College – Danushka Thushan (47’)

Bookings
Yellow cards
Holy Cross College – Mohamed Shahmi(3’)
St. Joseph’s College – Amila Dananjaya(21’)