Dennis the menace, for Murgan

by Nikhil Ghosh February 18, 2015

The 3rd division, MDFA between Somit OM Shakti Murgan (SOSM) and ‘B’ team of Ruffians FC match was held at Xavier’s ground, Parel on 17 February coinciding with the eve of Mahashivratri. Dennis pinto was the only scorer for his team SOSM which helped them beat Ruffians FC ‘B’.

Initially the Somit Om shakti Murgan team looked weak on the defensive side.  Team Murgan wearing the yellow jersey started making amends after the 5^th minute. Dennis Pinto started passing aerial through balls.

His efforts became fruitful in the 8^th minute, after some quick short passes in the penalty area of Ruffians FC. It seemed as if the SOSM didn’t want to score with many unnecessary passes. As the Ruffian’s FC defenders watched the SOSM players pass, Dennis remained unmarked. The ball went underneath goalkeeper’s hand and GOAL!

Ruffians tried hard to get back in to the game. Numerous aerial through passes were shared between the wing players and midfielders. Unable to control the ball, or being intercepted by the SOSM defenders stopped them from scoring the equalizer.

Dennis was fouled a minute before the half time. Just outside the penalty area was a dangerous spot for the Ruffian’s and would have driven the SOSM team to clinch a lead.  Dennis himself took the free kick. The ball curled, was safely punched away by the Ruffian Goalkeeper and it got deflected and again another SOSM player tried to score. The volley went over the goal post and with it the half time came to an end.

The second half began with substitution from SOSM team. With fouls and yellow card given in the first quarter of second half, there was tension in the evening heat.

In the 40^th minute, Shinde of SOSM ran from left flank to the right flank in an attempt to control the ball while Ruffians strikers chased him. He crossed the centre line and looked up and saw Bhau. He sent a through ball to him. The goalkeeper charged at the right time as Bhau kicked the ball which was saved, avoiding a goal.

5 minutes left from stoppage time, a hand ball was given to Ruffian’s. Ahmed took the free kick at a crucial stage. The ball hit the far post and got deflected. The game continued and as the final whistle blew,

Somit Om Shakti Murgan 1 (Dennis pinto) bt Ruffians FC ‘B’ 0