Resolute Steadfast Academy sink ten men Kenkre FC

by Kaushal Shukla November 22, 2015

Steadfast Academy produced a stellar defensive performance to see off a battling Kenkre FC outfit who were reduced to ten men 2-1 in the Maharashtra Qualifying Zone game of the U-15 Youth League held at Cooperage on Saturday evening. Steadfast who came into the game as underdogs made a strong case from themselves right from the start as they stunned Kenkre FC to bag their first win of the season.

Kenkre FC who were looking for their first win of the season after two disappointing defeats to Mumbai FC and DSK Shivajians in the competition and were on the job straightaway as they gained control of the proceedings. Steadfast were compact in their own half and defended astutely under the growing Kenkre FC pressure.

After weathering the early Kenkre FC storm, Steadfast started playing bit of their own football and cuased Kenkre FC a problems or two especially on the counter attack. Kenkre FC were stunned in the 23rd minute when Abll Fernandes gave Steadfast the lead as he scored from a Steadfast free kick as the Steadfast players celebrated joyously.

The goal gave Steadfast the belief as they got a foothold in the game and made it an even contest. Kenkre FC whose confidence was low after two demoralizing defeats after having dominated the game against DSK felt that sinking feeling again, against a vibrant Steadfast side.

Their fears turned into reality when Steadfast doubled their lead in the 42nd minute, slightly in a fortuitous manner as Melson Fernandes’ deflected shot went past the Kenkre FC goalkeeper into the back of the net. Kenkre were rocked just before half time as Steadfast went into the break in commanding position in the game.

Kenkre however entered the field in the second half with renewed belief and pressed for the goal which would get them back in the game, but the unwavering defence of Steadfast Academy stood firm. As the clock ticked by, Kenkre began to grow increasingly frustrated and were reduced to ten men after Siddhu Pawar got his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute.

However there was little change in the way the game was set up as Steadfast continued to sit back and absorb the pressure put on them by a Kenkre FC side who were refusing to throw in the towel. Kenkre FC gave themselves hope late on in the game when Aryan Yugpurush’s cool finish in stoppage time reduced the deficit to just one goal, but it was too little too late for Kenkre FC as referee Ravi Pandey blew the whistle almost immediately after Kenkre’s goal.

Steadfast’s rearguard action earned them their first win of the season as Kenkre FC’s agony continued as they fell to a third straight defeat despite having majority of the game.