Sri Lanka Navy SC gave a rude welcome to Don Bosco SC in the Dialog Champions League when they dismantled Don Bosco 5-0 at the Don Bosco Grounds in Negombo.
Navy coming off a high last week after defeating the much fancied Army SC 2-1 in Welisara started the match in explosive manner dominating possession and created opportunities at will.
P.C. Perera opened the scoring in the 15th minute and 6 minutes later Navy’s newest acquisition from Saunders SC, Chalana Chameera added the second. Tharindu Eranga put the ball in the back of the net in the 34th minute to the leave the Don Bosco fans shocked. The goals gave a commanding 3-0 lead to the visitors going into half time.
In the second half Don Bosco tightened their defense which cooled off the Navy attacks but the hosts couldn’t transfer the good defense into attacks as Navy continued to have possession. With time running out the superior fitness levels of the visitors showed and they scored two goals in quick succession in the 78th and 83rd minutes through Chamara Sanjeewa.
With this thumping win Navy SC moves into the top of the points table while Don Bosco needs to recover fast from this if they are to pose any threat in the Dialog Champions League.
Pelicans hold off Negombo Youth
A second half comeback was not enough for Negombo Youth as Pelicans SC edged them 2-1 at the Don Bosco grounds.
It was the visitors from Kurunegala who started off brightly and scored as early as in the 3rd minute through Nuwan Ekanayaka. Negombo Youth came back well and created a few chances but were pegged back again in the 45th minute when Tony Gargar added the second for the Pelicans.
Negombo Youth started the second half in a positive manner and cut the Pelican’s lead in half in the 51st minute when H.Perera found the net. It revived the hopes of a comeback but the Pelicans defense held firm to secure their first win of the Championship.
It was not a happy weekend for the football crazy Negombo fans as two of their clubs recorded defeats in successive days with Don Bosco beaten by Navy the day before.
Thihariya Youth rescues a point
Rajasheron scored at both ends of the pitch as the newly promoted Thihariya Youth got their first point when they drew with Matara City Club 2-2 at the Sri Bodhi ground in Gampaha.
The home side got the better of the early exchanges as captain Mohomed Isham gave the Youth the lead in the 4th minute. It stayed the same until half time with Thihariya having the upper hand.
Against the run of play Nuwan Sashikapriya equalized for the visitors in the 55th minute. Gaining in confidence Matara City started attacking and forced a mistake from Rajasheron in the 66th minute to score into his own net. With 9 minutes remaining in regular time Rajasheron made amends for his mistake when he scored in the correct net to make it 2-2.
Solid continue their winning ways
Solid SC registered their second win in as many matches with a 2-1 win over Nandimithra SC at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Afeez Olayemi scored in the 11th minute as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Anuradhapura side. Toney Daniel equalized early in the second half for Nandimithra but a 72nd minute strike from Amith Kumara secured three points for Solid SC.
