St.Joseph’s 2nd half rally sees off St.Benedict’s

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St.Joseph’s College, Colombo managed to scrape past their traditional rivals, St.Benedict’s with a score of 2 – 1 to record their second win of the U19 Division I Championship at St.Benedict’s Grounds.

St.Joseph’s were the first to settle down and establish their dominance throughout the pitch pressuring St.Benedict’s back into their goal.

But with a surprise move, it was the hosts that managed to create an upset scoring a goal in the 5th minute. Bens right-winger Shenal Kavinda, who received the ball from midfield managed to get in a cross even though he was closely guarded by two defenders; Joes keeper Rasanjaya Anuranga who did not time the ball’s descent correctly, was left helpless as Harain Fernando slid in at the very last moment to volley the ball into the goal.

St.Benedict’s would have doubled the lead few minutes later, when a defensive error between Josephian skipper Mayuraka Perera and Michael Hingert, where both failed to clear a through ball by Brayan Fernando, saw the ball heading towards goal but the hosts had to be content with the one goal as the ball strolled past the left post.

The visitors who were trailing behind still managed to keep up their dominion but failed to create an impact due to horrendous mistakes in midfield and poor finishing at the goal especially by Asela Madushan.

Benedictine defence stood strong despite the barrage of attacks sliding in at the nick of time to deny the opposition any chance of equalizing.

Asela managed to give the home team a scare when he carved through the defence and took a shot at goal but was disappointed as Ashan Sanjaya made a diving save sending the visitors into half time trailing behind.

Half time – St.Benedict’s College 1 – 0 St.Joseph’s College

St.Joseph’s who entered the game after stern words from their coach during half time, earned a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 42nd minute. Asela made up for his first-half mistakes planting the ball directly inside the goal granting the Josephians their first goal.

Joes failed to take the lead a few moments later when Mayuraka’s header from a corner went high above the goal.

The visitors put in their 2nd when Jayson Fernando’s shot at goal from close range bounced off the goalkeeper and a defender and went towards goal; a running Sachintha Maduranga made sure the ball went in.

The game became quite uneventful for the better part of the 2nd half afterwards.

In the last few minutes St.Benedict’s panicking due to the lack of time, strung together some attacks and made brilliant shots at goal. But Rasanjaya stood strong pulling up save after save and saw the Josephians through to victory.

Full time – St.Benedict’s College 1 – 2 St.Joseph’s College

ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Sachintha Maduranga

Goal Scorers
St.Benedict’s – Harain Fernando 5’
St.Joseph’s – Asela Madushan 42’, Sachintha Maduranga 57’

Bookings
Yellow cards – Sachin Subasinghe 50’ (St.Joseph’s)

Speaking to ThePapare.com the coach of St.Joseph’s College Aruna Sampath;

“Our team did not play up to their usual standards and I am not satisfied with today’s game. We missed a lot of scoring chances.”

When asked about the forthcoming matches he said;

“Of the rest of the teams that we have to face next I believe Maris Stella would be the biggest challenge. But we would not consider other matches lightly and hope to give a good fight in each match.”