S.Thomas’ College football team made the perfect beginning to their 2015 season winning the Divisionals at the Ratmalana Railway Grounds.
Thomian qualified straight to semifinals where they met Lalith Athulathmudali College. Midway through the first half Captain Deshan Gonawala headed in the first goal of the season for the Thomians from a corner by Dion Dias while Nawfleen Ahamed doubled the lead also from a Dias corner on the stroke of halftime.
In the second half Nawfleen scored his brace off a rebound when Akhil Fernando’s shot bounced off the upright making it 3-0 for the Thomians booking a place in the final against Science College who defeated Kothalawalapura MV 2-0 in the other semifinal.
A tense final ensured with the Thomians dominating possession but not being able to find a way through until the final moments. They were unfortunate as five shots hit the post while the ball was cleared off the line on two occasions. In the last minute however Nawfleen Ahamed managed to score off a cross from the right.
It is worth mentioning the Thomians came into the season without a proper coach as their previous coach R.M.Mahindapala was relieved off his duties by the Thomian administration without any known cause. Mahindapala a former Sri Lanka national player with international coaching experience took over the side last season and was in the process of developing the side into a competitive outfit before his unfortunate release.
