A lazy and lacklustre St. Benedict’s College paid dearly at the very end as they dropped two points against a fighting Isipathana College outfit as the game ended in a 2-2 stalemate, in U19 Division I group game worked off at Cooray Park.
From the opening whistle St. Benedict’s looked in control of proceedings as Isipathana seemed to be content with defending their lines as they sat back. However, St. Benedict’s lack of creativity and intensity in the final third seemed to play into the hands of Isipathana, as they did very little with their abundant ball possession.
St .Benedict’s soon had to settle to long range efforts as the compact Isipathana defence seemed hard to breach. One such effort paired with a bit of good luck opened the scoring in the game as Malindu Perera’s 20 yard effort slipped between the feet of the Isipathana custodian on the stroke of the 20th minute.
Unfazed by the setback Isipathana showed some bravery in pushing bodies forward asking a few questions of their own.
Their persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when the St. Benedict’s defence went to sleep as two Isipathana forwards galloped in on goal. Eventually, Mohomed Ushama found the back of the net to bring things back level.
Despite conceding a shock equalizer the St. Benedict’s lads didn’t hold back in offense as they started to show some industry in aiming to regain their lead. Once again a lapse in defence cost Isipathana as Alvin Stephan’s corner was headed home by a completely unmarked Sheron Fernando, a mere minute before half time.
Half time – Isipathana College 1 – 2 St. Benedict’s College
The second half saw a huge turn around in character between teams.
Isipathana despite walking in a goal behind seemed to have a spring in their step in contrast to St. Benedict’s who seemed to be sitting on their one goal cushion. However the likes of Malindu Perera, Abishek Fernando and Harain Fernando were all over the Isipathana defence like a rash as they only missed the final product for their efforts.
On the flipside, the Isipathana forwards didn’t back down from the challenge as they proved to be a headache to the St. Benedict’s defence themselves. Goal scorer Ushama came as close to clattering the upright on one occasion, as he constantly proved to be a thorn in the St. Benedict’s defence.
After a period of inconsistent football from both parties the telling moment of the game arrived in the 70th minute when Sherwin Fernando turned in the ball home, after the St. Benedict’s defence once again failed to clear their lines.
With very little time on the clock St. Benedict’s only managed to trouble the side netting of the Isipathana goal on a couple of times as Isipathana managed to hold fort.
The final whistle blew rounding up yet another dismal performance by St. Benedict’s who are yet to register a win in this year’s U19 Division I competition.
This would come down as a rather shock result to many as St. Benedict’s were favourites on paper to take all 3 points off their counterparts.
Full Time – Isipathana College 2 – 2 St. Benedict’s College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: U.L.Nipun (Isipathana College)
Speaking to ThePapare.com post match the Coach of St. Benedict’s College Mr.Vijaykumar;
“We wasted early opportunities and took it easy once we scored our second goal. The sluggish outfield didn’t help our cause either but it will certainly go down as dropped points for us (St.Benedict’s College).”
Goal Scorers
St.Benedict’s College – Malindu Perera 20’, Sheron Fernando 39’
Isipathana College – Mohomed Ushama 32’, Sherwin Fernando 70’
