Early second half strike helps Utpal Sanghvi see off Lakshdham HS

by Kaushal Shukla September 16, 2015

Utpal Sanghvi High School came out on top in an extremely tight encounter against Lakshdham High School as a solitary strike by Ayush Ramkrishnan was enough for Utpal Sanghvi to register a 1-0 win and progress to the next round of the Ahmed Sailor Cup 2015 held at the MSSA Ground in Mumbai on Monday, 14th September 2015.

There were few chances in the first half as both teams cancelled each other out in the middle of the park. Lakshdham HS grew into the game as the half progressed but failed to make a crucial breakthrough, meaning both teams went into the interval goalless.

The goalkeepers of both the sides hardly had to break a sweat in the first half, thanks to a lack of spark in either ranks and also some wayward shooting at times.

Utpal Sanghvi got on the front foot early on in the second half to pegg back Lakshdham in their own half and win a series of corners. Utpal Sanghvi made one count in the 31st minute when Ayush Ramakrishnan ventured totally unmarked in the box to head home the corner and give his team a truly valuable lead in a close game.

Lakshdham had a great chance to equalize few minutes later when a swift counter attack from the Kandivali outfit caught the Utpal Sanghvi rearguard slightly flat footed. But Lakshdham failed to hit the target as they final effort went well wide of the target.

Utpal Sanghvi were happy to sit on the one goal lead, and were successful in holding the lead through the game as a lacklustre attack of Lakshdham couldn’t fancy any chances of note.

The referee’s whistle confirmed Utpal Sanghvi’s passage to the next round of the Ahmed Sailor Cup, but after a tough afternoon’s work to see off a gritty Lakshdham side.