A hattrick by Niranjeewa Rajapaksha and a brace from Nigerian Patrick Wilson dismantled the experienced Nandimithra SC in a 5-1 win at Longdon Place in the weekend.
A 500 strong crowd braved the weather to witness the rampant Lions steamrolling past the hapless Nandimithra SC.
The trio of Rajapaksha, Wilson Patrick and Kavand Martin terrorized the Nandimithra defense the whole 90 minutes. Nandimithra were unable to match the physicality of the Nigerians as well as the pace and energy of young Niranjeewa Rajapaksha.
In the initial stages Nandimithra had a few opportunities with the best going to Captain Nuwan Priyankara, his effort from the left of the penalty box going just past the right post. The Lions took time to settledown to the ground conditions but with Sege Arthur pulling the strings with slick passes the visitors came alive. Rajapaksha’s first goal came in the 16th minute with a strike from inside the six yard box. Nandimithra’s S.Satheeswaran brought out a fine save from the Lions keeper soon afterwards. As the rains arrived the ground became heavy making it difficult to pass and control the ball. Nandimithra Captain Nuwan Priyankara would have leveled the scores midway through the firsthalf if not for a diving save from the Lions keeper tipping it over the crossbar. Minutes before the short whistle the home fans were left bemused when the referee did not award a penalty for a clear foul on Aravindu Silva.
In the 50th minute Niranjeewa doubled the lead after racing forward to meet a through ball and beating the keeper with a side foot shot. Six minutes later Niranjeewa completed his hattrick when he tapped home a cut back from Wilson Patrick. The jubilant Niranjeewa was all in praise for the Nigerian players, “They pass the ball well and creates opportunities for me. We learn a lot from those three in training. Also I’m really happy with my three goals and hope to do better for the team in the coming games.”
Nandimithra pulled a goal back through Damith Weeramanthri from a rebound after an initial header was saved by the keeper. The visitors kept the pressure and were rewarded with many a freekick but were unable to convert into goals. In the 89th minute horrendous misunderstanding between Nandimithra goalkeeper and the defense paved way for Wilson Patrick to put the Lions up 4-1. In added time Wilson Patrick was again involved in adding an easy fifth goal with a chip over the keeper and capped off a fine performance with his own dance version of the Gangnam Style.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Wilson Patrick, “I am grateful to God for today’s performance. We entertained the crowd. My mission here in Sri Lanka is to develop football in rural areas. Firstly I was in Matara then to Pelicans in Kurunegala now here and the experience has been very good.”
In the other matches
Matara City Club defeated Ratnam SC 3-2 in a thriller. The match was heading into a draw but a goal from Nuwan Shashikapriya in added time snatched victory for the southerners. In an exhilarating opening half saw both teams trading goals with inform striker for Ratnam, M.Yogarajah scoring in the 16th and 43rd minute. For Matara CC African players Kwabena Bonsu and Victor Lkenna scored in the 14th and 34th minutes respectively.
There was another goal fest at the Police Park where Police SC took on Renown SC. Renown produced a dominant first half scoring two goals through Mohamed Fazal and Mohamed Rizny. In the second half Mohamed Hakeem tripled the lead for Renown before Nuwantha Charaka scored the first for the home team. Police were unable to make any progress from that goal and had to be satisfied with their second goal from Mohamed Rafeek only in the 6th and final minute of added time.
Solid SC proved that last week’s win over Army was no fluke as they beat another former champion, Don Bosco 1-0 at the Don Bosco grounds. The solitary goal of the match came in the 74th minute through O. Shola.
