The Schools’ Football U19 Division I Group A clash between Wickramabahu College and St. Benedict’s College ended in a tame, goalless draw including two red cards at the Weegulawaththa grounds Gampola.

Both teams faced Kingswood College in their previous encounters with St.Benedict’s losing 3-2 to the Randles Hill lads while Wickramabahu College managed to secure a come from behind 3-3 draw.

The 10 man St.Benedict’s line-up took on a defensive strategy right from the beginning of the game with only the two forwards, Malindu Niwantha and Shamal Kavindu taking on an attacking role.

Despite this, their defenders did provide some useful long shots into the Wickramabahu penalty box but unfortunately they could not make use of them because of Shamal’s offside positioning.

In the 9th minute they had a good opportunity to break the deadlock as the forward was sent through one on one with the keeper but the Wickramabahu goalkeeper, P.S. Dissanayake made a brilliant save.

From that point onwards the Wickramabahu lads dominated the midfield play but the visitors’ defenders Alvin Stephan and Skipper Thiwanka Nawodya ensured that the hosts’ forwards were kept at bay.

The lads from Gampola had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty however G.K. Piyushan missed the target.

Wickramabahu strikers A.Seepan and C.N.Bandara got some shots on target, however the Benedictine goalkeeper put in a few diving efforts to keep the hosts goalless.

Half time – Wickramabahu College 0 – 0 St. Benedict’s College

Proceedings in the 2nd half were dominated by Wickramabahu College as their strikers made it into the Benedictine penalty box quite a few times. However, Sheron Fernando was up to the task and made no mistake in keeping the Bens in the game.

N.S. Pathirana’s shot off a bicycle kick from just outside the penalty box crashed off the crossbar and went out of the field.

Seepan and Malindu got into a tussle in the 79th minute for which both received red cards. That proved to be the last bit of action in the game as neither team was able to find the back of the net.

Full time – Wickramabahu College 0 – 0 St. Benedict’s College

ThePapare.com Player of the Match- Sheron Fernando (St. Benedict’s College)

Bookings

Red Cards

Wickramabahu College – A. Seepan    79’                   

St.Benadicts College – Malindu Niwantha 79’