Second half goals by Deshan Gonawela and Akhil Fernando gave S.Thomas’ College a 2-0 win; their second successive victory at the 6th Annual Trinity-S.Thomas’ Football Encounter at the Pallekelle grounds.
The Thomians had their chances in the first half but poor finishing failed them but Captain Gonawela broke the deadlock soon after half time and Fernando converted a penalty after Gonawela was fouled inside the box.
Both teams struggled initially to adjust to the poor ground conditions, where the grass had not been cut for the match and looked to be in poor order while the referee’s liking for the whistle did hamper the flow of the match. However it was the visitors who adapted first getting their passes together to threaten the Trinity defense.
It was the
little known Thevin Eriyagama who provided the spark that started the Thomian charge. The 15 year old who was handed his first XI debut went on a mazy run going past three defenders only to have his effort palmed away. The rebound by Gonawela was blocked by the Trinity defense.
The Sri Lanka U19 midfielder Akhil Fernando then fed Yohan Mendis who danced into the box but his shot on target was weak. The Thomians dominated play and were unlucky not to be given a penalty. Wonderful slick passing move saw Fernando go into the box and was fouled by the Trinity defender but the referee waved play on.
Towards the end of the first half Dion Dias from midfield found Fernando with a through ball but his shot was a tame one straight at the goalkeeper.
The Thomians started off the second half in perfect fashion as captain Deshan Gonawela scampered through for a calm finish. Yohan Mendis squared off Gonawela who sent the ball through the on rushing keepers’ legs.
Unselfish play by Mendis saw the visitors miss on another chance as he tried to feed Fernando with a clear view of the goal. Minutes later Mendis found his man, this time the vice-captain found his captain inside the box where he was blatantly fouled giving a penalty. Akhil Fernando stepped up to convert it sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
With seconds remaining Mendis should have capped off a brilliant performance when he got a peach of a through ball from Dias but with the goalkeeper rushing out he fired his effort just wide off the far post.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Yohan Mendis
