Sri Lanka youth player Peshala Rajakaruna scored four goals as St. Peter’s comfortably beat Holy Cross Kalutara in the Kotmale Chox schools U19 football Championship at the Cooray Park.
St.Peter’s defeat Holy Cross
Had it not been for an impressive goalkeeping display by Holy Cross goalkeeper Malinda Jayodh the scoreline would have been much worse for the Kalutara lads. However nothing can be taken away from Peshala who was lethal in front of the goal.
Early on it was the impressive triplet of Afam Akram, Isuru Sampath and Suntharaj Niresh who were pulling the strings as they caused havoc for the Holy Cross defense. Niresh put Isuru one on one with the keeper with a through ball but it was well charged down by Malinda Jayodh. Minutes later Afam ran down the left flank cut back in going past two defenders but his chipped effort landed on the roof of the goal.
In the 9th minute Isuru made amends for his missed effort early on as he placed the ball into the corner of the net, going one on one with the keeper. A minute later the goal of the evening came when Afam, Niresh and Peshala combined. The move started with Niresh who fed the ball to Afam, then exchanged passes with Niresh and fed the ball to Peshala who made no mistake to double S.Peter’s lead.
In the second half , Holy Cross pulled a goal back from a free kick but St.Peter’s struck back immediately through Peshala to make it 3-1. Then Malinda Jayodh made another point blank range save from a Suntharaj Niresh fierce shot. In the 60th minute Peshala wonderfully controlled a long ball from Dinusha Perera to volley it home for his hat trick. Minutes before full time he added his fourth making it 5-1 for the home side.
Missed chances overshadow Thora win
Abikrishna scored a brace and missed a penalty as S.Thomas’ College defeated Royal Institute 4-0 at the City League grounds.
Though S.Thomas’ had possession their poor final ball into the box eluded them of an early goal, with Yohan Mendis missing a chance which hit the cross bar. There after Deshan Gonawela from the left barged his way into the box cut back in but he strayed his effort wide.
It took the Thomians 21 minutes to score against the below power Royal Institute side when Abikrishna headed home the ball from a Dion Dias free kick which the keeper failed to come out and gather. Minutes later Diniru Abeysuriya and Gonawela exchanged passes before Gonawela’s low drive hit the upright and Abikrishna tapped in the rebound.
Abikrishna missed a header from an Akhil Fernando and a free kick scored his hat trick in the 30th minute. Diniru made a lung bursting run down the left going past the defense into the box but decided to pass without taking the shot at goal which would have given the Thomians their third. In the 38th minute Akhil was fouled inside the box by the goalkeeper but Abikrishan’s penalty hit the cross bar. Gonawela then hit the ball straight at the keeper but made amends when he placed the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 just before half time.
Early on in the second half, substitute Agarshan toe poked for the fourth from an Akhil Fernando cross. However S.Thomas’ missed chances again by Dion Dias, Mendis and Akhil to stretch their lead.
