Central Bank of India were back in action after recently beating Dena Bank 2-0. Western Railways were in action after a long time with their last appearance coming in the RCF Premier Cup.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening quarter of the game with a few long range efforts the best that both sides could create.

Central Bank came the closest to taking the lead in a first half which had very few things to report, when Hitesh Chodankar struck an absolute belter of a shot at the Western Railways goal, which was brilliantly saved to his right by the Western Railways shot stopper Lalit Parmar in the 26th minute.

Three minutes later, Western Railways thought they should have had a penalty when their striker was blocked by the CBI defender. The inter-Railway champions might have had a case there, but the referee was not in a great position to spot it as he waved to play on, much to CBI’s relief.

It was a cagey affair, with both teams hardly threatening in the remainder of the first half as the teams went to the break at 0-0. The strikers of both teams were caught offside way too many times and both the teams lacked the creativity to make a difference in the scoreline.

But the second half started with a bang as Central Bank of India took the lead just 5 minutes into the second half, as Hitesh Chodankar’s strike flew into the top corner. It was a brilliant striker from the CBI No.7 which gave CBI the all-important lead in a very tight game.

CBI nearly doubled that lead in the 58th minute when a free kick from Johnson D’Silva was acrobatically tipped away from goal by Lalit Parmar for a corner for CBI.

Western Railways made a substitution in the 61st minute replacing Sadanand Nirmal with Saheb Singh with a view of getting a foothold back in the game which was winging the CBI’s way.

CBI were beginning to create plenty of chances, as Johnson D’Silva’s volley from a corner was punched away from the Western Railways goalkeeper three minutes later.

In the 69th minute, Anil Pawar of the Western Railways forced a fine low save out of Sarfaraz Ansari after he was neatly played in space. The chance seemed to have spurred Western Railways on as they had a bit more swagger in their play.

The improvement in their play was instantly rewarded when, Somi P.T. drew Western Railways level in the 71st minute, after firing home a low cross from their right flank.

The second half was completely opposite the first half, which lacked any kind of goal mouth action. But as the game approached the full time whistle, the fizz went out of the game as both teams weren’t keen to risk the point in hand for all three.

The game ended level pegging as both teams seemed to be satisfied with a point from the day’s work. The draw was the fair result in an overall dull game lacking creativity.

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The game began at a frantic pace with both teams attacking at either end to gain the all important lead. Companeroes defence managed to keep KSA’s in form striker Ahiri Uchela at bay by clearing their lines from Ryan Kolarikkal’s continuous penetrative crosses from the left. The KSA defence on the other hand were caught surprised as they had to deal with an unknown measure in Companeroes debutant & new foreign recruit Steven Olyevuchi, his speed and strength proved to be menacing on quite a few occasions, early in the first half.

Karnataka Sporting were caught on the back foot midway through the first half, when a shot by Reed Santos clearly came off the hand of one of their defenders inside the box, the referee made no hesitation in pointing to the spot. KSA had their goalkeeper Kishen Sulegai to thank, after he pulled of a brilliant save from Jardin Braganza’s penalty kick, diving to his right.

The 2nd half saw KSA  pressing higher with Souvaid Ansari and Valentine Pereira pulling the strings from midfield. Ahiri Uchela did well to keep Companeroes custodian Wren D’Abreo on his toes, after he managed to make some attempts on goal despite close attention from Fazil Sheikh. The Nigerian was handed a brilliant opportunity in the 60th minute when he was put through the middle by Tarique Ansari but it was an outstretched Wren D’Abreo’s fingertips that denied KSA the lead.

Companeroes got back into the game with some consistent passing in the midfield as Joshua Vessaokar and Reed Santos combined well to take the Red and Yellow attack forward. Their efforts paid dividends in the 74th minute when Steven Olyevuchi latched on to a loose ball outside the KSA box, after a cross from the left was not properly dealt with. Steven’s square pass was perfectly met by Joshua, who made a clever run into the box and unleashed a rasping shot with his left foot. The goal came as a big boost to Companeroes talisman Joshua Vessaokar, making his return to the team after a year’s absence.

KSA tried to claw their way back into the game dominating possession and making attempts at the Companeroes goal but were denied on every occasion. The frustration took to them as Ahiri Uchela was shown the red card for an off the ball incident in the 80th minute, when he deliberately elbowed Fazil Sheikh in the face. The task got all the more difficult for KSA, being down to 10 men. Companeroes Nigerian import Steven Olyevuchi had a glorious opportunity to grab his debut goal and further the lead in the closing stages but was unfortunate to see his effort come off the upright with KSA keeper Kishen Sulegai rooted to the spot.

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Elvis Ozawara was the star again for the Colaba side, as his brace helped them bag the three points.

Kenkre were back into Elite Division action after a long break. Their last appearance was in the RCF Premier Cup. PIFA Colaba on the other hand were fresh from a hard fought draw against Air India.

The game got off to a cracking start as Rigved Yeole stunned PIFA Colaba giving Kenkre FC the lead with a well taken goal in the 4th minute. But their joy was short lived, as PIFA Colaba came storming back into the game.

PIFA equalized through Elvis Ozawara in the 7th minute, as Zeeshan Shaikh finished after the goalkeeper had parried a shot in his path, a minute later to complete the turnaround as PIFA Colaba led 2-1.

The game was being played at a good pace and there were chances at both ends. Kenkre leveled the scores again in the 21st minute when Arvind Rajan bundled in from close range after receiving a pass from the left.

Six minutes later, Kenkre FC threatened again as Yash Mhatre drove into the PIFA box going past three defenders in the process. But his last touch was slightly heavy, allowing James Swamy the time to pounce and collect. It was a great bit of play from Yash Mhatre.

PIFA nearly took the lead in the 31st minute when Elvis Ozawara put his shot over after meeting a cross from Deep Morjani from PIFA’s right flank. It was a poor miss from the PIFA forward considering his own high standards.

Elvis Ozawara was in on goal again three minutes later, after beautifully picked out by a through ball. His toe poked effort was nicely saved by the Kenkre goalkeeper Saeesh A.V.

Kenkre’s Arvind Rajan brilliantly made his way through on goal after some intricate play, but he couldn’t finish off the move as he shot over.

Both teams went into half time level pegging at 2-2. It was an entertaining first half with plenty of goals and chances for both sides.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides looking to get in front. But it was PIFA Colaba who took the lead through Deep Morjani in the 51st minute to put PIFA Colaba 3-2 ahead.

Elvis Ozawara almost got his second goal of the game four minutes later, when he attempted an audacious scissor kick after chesting down a cross from the left wing.

Kenkre FC were denied an equalizer by the heroic James Swamy in the 62nd minute, who produced a brave low save to deny Arvind Rajan. The Kenkre forward should have scored his second as it was a poor miss by him.

Kenkre brought on Arish Sutaria in place of Kamran Siddhique a minute later as they were looking to rescue a point from the game. In the 67th minute, Elvis Ozawara danced his way in the box to pick out Zeeshan Shaikh in the middle, whose shot was crucially blocked by the Kenkre defence. He was booked for a constant argument with the referee three minutes later PIFA Colaba killed the game with a fourth goal in the 75th minute, from the impressive Elvis Ozawara who was played in on goal as he made no mistake in the thumping the ball in the back of the net despite a fist from the Kenkre goalkeeper.

The goal deflated Kenkre FC as they failed to mount a fight back, giving PIFA Colaba another victory in the MDFA Elite Division.
PIFA Colaba had too much firepower for Kenkre FC in the end as the result was never in doubt since Zeeshan Shaikh pulled PIFA Colaba in front in the 8th minute, despite Kenkre taking the lead in the 4th minute.

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Central Bank of India and Dena Bank came into this game on the back of heavy defeats at the hands of Karnataka Sporting Association and Air India respectively.

After a slow start to the game, CBI thought they had taken the lead in the 7th minute, but their goal was disallowed for offside. Five minutes later, Dena Bank went very close to opening the scoring when Pramod Yadav unleashed a powerful strike at the CBI goal which their goalkeeper Sarfaraz Ansari tipped over the crossbar.
CBI made a great surge on goal in the 18th minute as they threatened to open the Dena Bank defence, but they overcooked the move allowing Dena Bank to clear the danger.

The game was being played at a very slow pace and both side were lacking any kind of spark as the game went past the half hour mark. CBI appealed for a penalty in the 37th minute, when the Dena bank goalkeeper seemed to have fouled Hitesh Chodankar in the box. The referee waved off the appeals. It was a good decision by the referee as Hitesh Chodankar had lost the control of the ball when the tackle came in.

A minute later, CBI’s Melwin Vaz put the ball in the back of the net, but the CBI player who passed it to Melwin Vaz was in a offside position and the scores remained level as the referee signaled the end of the first half which had very little to offer.

Central Bank’s Scott D’Souza did brilliantly to get to the goal line and get past the Dena Bank right back in the 47th minute, but his shot from a very tight angle was blocked. It was a selfish bit of play from the CBI forward.
Dena Bank’s Druwesh Nijap was booked in the 53rd minute for a nasty foul on a CBI player. It was a dangerous challenge from the Dena Bank defender and was lucky to stay on the pitch.

The game was very physical and constant stoppages were affecting the flow of the game. Scott D’Souza missed a great opportunity to put CBI ahead in the 57th minute, as he fired a shot from close range straight at the Dena Bank goalkeeper. It was a poor miss from the CBI striker.

CBI finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Scott D’Souza neatly controlled a cross from substitute Charles M. from the right, to bundle home from close range. CBI looked the likelier team to score in the game and they did find that extra bit of quality post the hour mark.

CBI doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, when Scott D’Souza did brilliantly to get on the end of a clearance from Sarfaraz Ansari as he turned and fired the ball in the net with a fine strike from twenty five yards out. It was a brilliant goal from Scott D’Souza who clearly was the difference between the two sides.

CBI replaced their hero of the game, Scott D’Souza in the 82nd minute with Nadeem Ansari as they looked to see off the remaining minutes.

CBI held on for a comfortable win in the end against a listless Dena Bank outfit who did not pose any threat to the CBI goal throughout the game.

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Air India and PIFA Colaba previously met in this season’s Nadkarni Cup Quarter finals, where Air India’s solitary goal was enough to see them past today’s opponents en-route to the final.

But Air India were key men, with Vijit Shetty, Siddharth Nayak and Omkar Singh away with the Maharashtra team for the Santosh Trophy. But that did not seem to affect Air India as they stormed out as their effort was cleared off the line within seconds of the start.
But the game failed to maintain that intensity as there was a lot of sloppy play in the first fifteen minutes. PIFA’s Roshan Karmaran delivered a devilish cross in the 17th minute, but Air India were able to deal with, but not without giving away a corner.

Both teams were struggling to find their rhythm as the game was getting scrappy with a lot of loose play. PIFA were forced into a change when Roshan Karamaran who was one of their better players so far had to come off with a knee injury and was replaced by Arjun Mehra.

The next five minutes saw a lot of action as Sagar Chile hit a powerful shot at the PIFA goalkeeper after a nicely constructed move. A minute later Alves Ozowara seemed to be through one on one with the keeper and did well to beat him as the linesman raised a late flag for offside. It sparked a controversy, as the PIFA players were displeased with the decision. It was a poor piece of refereeing from the linesman as his indecision may have cost PIFA a goal.

Sagar Chile nearly got on the end of a cross from a free kick on Air India’s left flank in the 30th minute. A minute later, Alves Ozowara broke free and shot at the Air India goal, but his effort was vitally blocked by the Air India defender.

There was another injury, this time to Air India’s Vishnu T. who was replaced by Merwin Stephen in the 32nd minute. A minute later Raynier Fernandes breezed past the PIFA substitute to deliver a cross and the shot from it was tipped over by James Swamy in the PIFA goal.

From the resultant corner, James Swamy made a brilliant save on the line to deny Air India the lead. Air India missed a great chance to take the lead three minutes before the interval as he headed over from six yards from a cross from Air India’s left wing.
The referee drew the half to a close. It was a half with decent amount of chances, but none of the teams had been able to establish a firm hold over the game.

Seven minutes into the second half, Alves Ozowara battled his way past the last Air India defender but his final shot was way too weak as Air India’s Rahul Chadha collected comfortably.
In the 55th minute, Air India’s Baldeep Singh rattled the upright with a fine strike. It was a moment of fortune for the Colaba outfit. Air India made a change bringing on Harold Fernandes in place of Anees K. in the 61st minute as they looked to break the deadlock.

Merwin Stephen nearly headed home from a Sagar Chile cross in the 65th minute after Sagar Chile did well to make space to send a cross.

Air India made their third and final change as they sent Neil Gaekwad in place of Johnychand Singh a minute later. PIFA’s James Swamy made a good save from Merwin Stephen in the 83rd minute as Sagar Chile shot over from the rebound. A big miss from Air India as a good chance went begging.

The referee indicated five minutes of added time as Air India were pressing for a win while PIFA seemed to be content with a point. Air India’s Neil Gaekwad’s shot had the PIFA goal scrambling in the third minute of stoppage time, but the shot when wide much to PIFA’s relief.

Neither team could get on the scoresheet as PIFA held on, for what was to be a good point for them against their illustrious opponents. Both teams never really got going and had to settle for a point in the end.

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RCF and Union Bank of India were coming into the game on the back of contrasting results, the former losing their previous game 4-3 to PIFA, while UBI thrashed Central Railways 4-0.

The game got off to a slow start as there were very few chances in the opening 15 minutes, much to the displeasure of the crowd who had turned up in decent numbers for the game.

RCF’s Raju Meetei went close to opening the scoring on 15 minutes, as his effort from a tight angle was saved by the UBI goalkeeper. The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute as UBI took the lead through Manish Koli’s sensational drive which flew in the top corner, giving RCF’s Narender Singh no chance.

Manish Koli did well to capitalize on an error from RCF center back Vrundavan Duna who gave the ball away before unleashing a powerful strike on goal. It was a fantastic finish from the UBI No.20.
Two minutes later, UBI doubled their lead, this time from a breathtaking counter attack resulting from an RCF corner, as UBI’s Aaron D’Costa ran into space to play in Titus Uttankar who brought the ball under control and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the RCF goal. It was neatly taken goal by Titus Uttankar to give UBI a two goal cushion.

RCF’s Vrundavan Duna was having a bad day in the office, when he was booked for a rash tackle on a UBI player in the 29th minute. Three minutes later, his evening was ended as the RCF manager replaced him with Gadam.

As we approached the the half way mark in the game, RCF were slowly getting back into the game after two quick setbacks. Raju Meetei put a header just wide of the goal in the 42nd minute.

But UBI continued to create chances as, Pratik Koli’s header is millimeters off the right hand side post, after the striker met a cross from Titus Uttankar from UBI’s right flank.

UBI preserved their two goal lead as the teams went into the break. UBI were the better team in the first half and the scoreline was totally justified.

The second half started in a flash, as UBI’s Shanon Perreira found himself in space in front of goal, but his shot was just wide of Narender Singh’s goal.

Three minutes later, it was RCF who had Raju Meetei through on goal, but he toe poked the ball inches wide. It was a great chance for RCF to get back in the game which was wasted by one of their most trusted players in Raju Meetei.

RCF were unlucky not be just one behind UBI, as they were denied by the upright in the 62nd minute, when substitute Gadam’s driven shot hit the right hand side post. RCF were again having a good spell of possession, but were failing to make that all important breakthrough.

UBI replace goal scorer Manish Koli with Shravan Shetty in the 64th minute as they sought a third goal which would kill the game. UBI got that goal in the 76th minute when RCF failed to clear a lobbed pass from Sanjay Rathod, as Pratik Koli pounced on the loose ball to finish past the RCF goalkeeper. It was a killer blow for RCF, who had very little time to change the result.

UBI missed a great opportunity to add a fourth goal in the stoppage time as RCF were had dropped the intensity knowing the game was up.
The referee blew for full time as UBI ran out deserved winners against a good RCF side to register back to back wins in the Elite division.

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It was a lively game from the off, as both teams were out of the blocks early. In the 15th minute Central Bank’s Scott D’Souza was allowed to run at the KSA defence as he unleashed a powerful shot on goal, which was well kept out by the KSA shot stopper Kishan Sulegai.

Eight minutes later, Arihi Uchela missed a great chance to put KSA in front as he failed to make a connection to a perfectly weighted cross from Muneer Shaikh from the left flank. The cross was begging to be headed home and it was a big miss from the KSA center forward.

A minute later at the other end, Melwin Waz broke free of the KSA defence as he chased down a pass. The charging goalkeeper failed to make any kind of contact to the ball as the chasing Melwin Waz was able to reach it and deliver a cross across the face of the empty goal. But KSA mananged to scramble it clear. Huge let off for Kishan Sulegai, the KSA goalkeeper.

He is called into action again a minute later when Scott D’Souza gets past KSA’s Shabbir Shaikh way too easily and drilled a low shot at the KSA goal. This time though. Kishan Sulegai was upto the challenge as he saved brilliantly to deny Central Bank the lead.
A couple of minutes later, Arihi Uchela was played in on goal and he was denied by a sensational one handed save from Sarfaraz Ansari. Uchela should have scored having had plenty of time to compose himself.

He was booked in the 31st minute when he unfairly stopped Central Bank from playing a quick free kick. Stupid from the KSA No.10. Central Bank nearly took the lead in the 38th minute when, a cross from the left flank was just behind Scott D’Souza’s run. It was a good bit of play from Central Bank.

KSA finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Aayesh Shaikh did brilliantly well to get past the Central Bank full back and pick out Arihi Uchela’s run who tapped in from six yards to put KSA in front.

KSA managed to hold the lead into half time as the referee drew an entertaining half to a close.

We had the first opening of the second half, with just two minute played as Sarfaraz Ansari produced an absolute blinder of a save to dent KSA a second goal.

But KSA got that opportunity when they were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute which was colly slotted home by Arihi Uchela a minute later. He got his hat-trick four minutes later as he showed great pace to get to the ball ahead of the Central Bank center back to beat the keeper and score from a very tight angle and make it 3-0 to KSA.

Arihi Uchela more than made up for his missed opportunities in the first half as he put KSA in sight of a victory. There were plenty of chances for both sides as we approached the final ten minutes of the game with Central Bank trying scale down a three goal deficit.
KSA were content with the scoreline as they dropped the intensity as Central Bank pushed hard for their opening goal. The game was increasingly being played in the KSA half.

The KSA goalkeeper produced a fantastic save in the fourth minute of stoppage time to ensure that KSA keep a cleansheet.

KSA’s victory was based on good decisive play by their forwards which tilted the game in their favor. Central Bank gave a good account of themselves but lacked a cutting edge in front of the goal as they left Cooperage empty handed.

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Air India returned to League action after their moment of glory in the RCF Premier Cup last month. But Air India were without their hero and the Player of that Tournament, Vijith Shetty. But that did not matter as Air India took just seven minutes to get in front thanks to Sagar Chile’s calm finish across the Dena Bank goalkeeper Asif Ansari, giving absolutely no chance to make a save.

Air India were very unlucky not to be two goals to the good seven minutes later, when Siddhart Nayak’s clever run was brilliantly picked out by Vishnu T, only for Siddharth Nayak’s effort to come off the post and go straight into the glad hands of the Dena Bank goalkeeper.

Siddharth Nayak was at the end of yet another pass in the 26th minute, this time picked out by a cross from Yogesh rawat who made a stunning overlapping run before that, but Siddharth Nayak failed to divert the effort on goal. The Air India forward should have done better there.

Air India were completely dominating the game as all the play was taking place in the Dena Bank half as the RCF Premier Cup Champions created plenty of chances to score. Despite all the dominance Air India still led by the solitary goal from Sagar Chile in the 7th minute.

Dena Bank won a rare free kick in the 41st minute, left of the Air India penalty area but failed to make it count as Air India cleared, although at the expense of a corner.

Air India launched a quick counter attack from Dena Bank’s corner as goal scorer Sagar Chile did brilliantly to brush off a Dena Bank defender and send the advancing Siddharth Nayak through on goal, who did not make any mistake this time to score past a helpless Asif Ansari as Air India doubled their lead
Ashkar CV nearly put broad daylight between them and their opponents as he failed to keep his first time shot down after he had latched on to a cross from the marauding left back Yogesh Rawat.
The half time arrived with Air India, firmly in sight of the win, while Dena Bank had it all to do to change the current result which was imminent from the early minutes of the half.

Air India continued to pepper the Dena Bank goal in the opening minutes of the second half as Dena Bank struggled to clear the lines, facing wave after wave of Air India attacks.

Ashkar CV of Air India though had a horrible moment in the 50th minute, when he missed an absolute sitter as he thumped his shot over from less than six yards, after being allowed to get at an end of a cross from the right flank totally unmarked.

Nine minutes later, Siddharth Nayak showed great skill to trick the Dena Bank defender to cut back for Vishnu T. who could only manage to fire his shot wide. Siddharth Nayak did brilliantly though to create the opportunity.
Air India brought on forward Mervin Stephen to replace the impressive Siddharth Nayak in the 68th minute. Six minutes later, Air India and Ashkar CV were denied by the crossbar and unfortunately for the Air India No.2, it rebounded outside the goal line.
But Air India got the third just a minute later, with substitute Praveen Sharma beating the offside trap to cooly finish past the Dena Bank goalkeeper. Shortly after the Air India goal, the Dena Bank coach Aazar Ansari got in an argument with the linesman as he was upset with a decision. Despite, several warnings from both the referee and the linesman, the Dena bank coach continued to argue, raising his voice to a totally unacceptable level.

The referee sent the coach off the field as he had to be dragged out of the ground. The frustration of his side’s listless display clearly got to him as he completely lost his cool. It was really sad to see such classless behavior from such a senior member of the Dena Bank setup.

The game resumed with Air India continuing to dominate as they went in search of their fourth goal. They got that fouth goal in the second minute of added time as Ashkar CV finally got in on the act finishing off a cross from the right flank
The referee blew for full time, ending a dismal morning for Dena Bank who were absolutely battered by a dominant Air India side.

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The game got off to a lively start with both teams looking sharp early on. It was RCF with the first opening in the game when Angainpu found himself in space on the left side of the PIFA box, only for him to put his effort wide. It was a poor miss in the end having so much time in front of goal and just the keeper to beat.

PIFA though made no mistake in converting their very first opportunity in the 10th minute when a beautifully threaded through ball from midfield found Deep Morjani in space behind the RCF backline as he squared Elvis Ozowara who finished from six yards to put the Colaba outfit in front.

The game had a great flow to it as RCF created another opening when Deep Morjani was played in by Ashish Dawajkar in the 16th minute, as the former failed to keep his shot on target which went well wide in the end. It was another good chance which went begging for RCF.

A minute later, at the other end Pranay D. send his shot over the crossbar after nice intricate play between Elvis Ozowara and Ganesh Kamat created the opening for a shot on the RCF goal.

After the bright opening twenty minutes, the fizz went out of the game thanks to a few injury lay-offs around the half hour mark. The 36th minute saw a major talking point as RCF’s Sandeep Upadhye lunged in on the PIFA offender. It was dangerous tackle, for which he was booked, but the PIFA camp were furious as they felt it was too soft a punishment as they believed the RCF No.2 deserved a red.

PIFA missed a glorious chance to double their lead in the final regulation minute of the first half as Elvis Ozowara failed to make a telling connection after a comedy of errors resulted in ball falling in his path.
In the third minute of stoppage time, PIFA goalkeeper James Swami made good save, low to his left after Raju Meetei was allowed to turn and have a shot at the PIFA goal.

That was the last piece of action of an eventful and entertaining first half, which was finely edged by PIFA Colaba who went into the interval with a one goal advantage.

The second half started in similar fashion, as both teams were playing with a high tempo. In the 51st minute, PIFA’s Elwis Ozowara broke away from the RCF defence as he delivered a dangerous cross across the face of the PIFA goal, which just evaded awaiting Zeeshan Shaikh, thanks to a vital touch from goalkeeper Vikram Singh.

PIFA won a free kick on their right flank, just outside the penalty area, from which PIFA doubled their advantage after Elwis Ozowara whipped in the free kick which was helped in byPIFA’s Jay Panarkar in the 55th minute.
Two minutes later PIFA almost made it three, but were denied by an absolute blinder of a save by RCF’s Vikram Singh. But they were not be denied in the 61st minute when Zeeshan Shaikh added a third as he slotted home a cross from the left flank.

Ubaid Ansari pulled one back for RCF in the 63rd minute to blow life back into the game, only for Elwis Ozowara to quash any hopes of a RCF comeback getting PIFA’s fourth goal after Raunak K had squared him up, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from RCF.

Elwis Ozowara was sensing a hat-trick as he was one on one with the goalkeeper, but unfortunately for PIFA forward, his effort hit the upright. Elwis Ozowara was proving to be a real handful for the RCF defence as he was involved in nearly all the goals PIFA scored.

Elwis Ozowara was involved yet again in the 75th minute, when he chased down a through ball from Pranay D. and twist and turn the RCF defender to drill a cross across the face of the goal. Fortunately for RCF, it was cleared in time. It was absolutely to class from the African forward.

PIFA substitute Lestor C. did brilliantly to keep the ball in play and pass to to Elwis Ozowara who beat a couple of defenders to shoot inches wide of the left hand side post in the 83rd minute.

PIFA blew a great chance to make it five in the 86th minute, Ganesh Kamat shot horribly over the crossbar after Zeeshan Shaikh picked him out with a cross at the far post.

The sensational Elwis Ozowara was taken off in the 88th minute and was replaced by Arvind K. Two minutes later, RCF reduced the deficit as Gadam scored for the Chembur outfit. The linesman had initially raised the flag for offside but the referee over ruled the decision to award RCF the goal.

RCF were to grab another goal in the third minute of stoppage time as Rahul Jadhav headed home from a foot off the goal, to make it 4-3 and have the cat among the pigeons. But there was barely time for RCF to steal a draw as referee blew for full time almost immediately after the restart.

PIFA nearly made a mess of what seemed to be a comfortable morning for Colobaites, but RCF left it way too late as they make their way back homr to Chembur empty handed.

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ONGC and Companeroes SC had already met each other this season in the Quarter Finals of the Nadkarni Cup, where Companeroes produced a stunning defensive display to earn a goalless draw, only to be knocked out on penalties.

But there wasn’t to be a repeat of that performance, as ONGC took just nine minutes to breach the Companeroes rearguard with Kailash Patil heading home a fine cross from the right flank, to set ONGC on their way.

The goal seemed to flatten Companeroes who found themselves behind despite not doing much wrong in the opening ten minutes. But there was more misery in store for Companeroes as ONGC doubled their lead in the 21st minute as Kailash Patil got his second of the game, when he tapped in from close range after Joel Sequeira had diverted a cross from ONGC’s right flank goal wards.

ONGC made it 3-0, just a minute later, with Kailash Patil completing his hat-trick with a brilliant long range effort which found the back of the net, despite Companeroes goalkeeper Wren Dabreo getting a fist to it.

The day went from bad to worse for Companeroes, as referee Rahul awarded ONGC a penalty in the 27th minute for a handball by Companeroes’ Jardin Braganza.
Bhola Prasad stepped up for ONGC but blasted his kick over the crossbar, much to Companroes’ relief. The missed penalty seemed to stem the flow of chances for ONGC, but they continued to boss proceedings leaving the Companeroes’ front men to feed on scraps.

There were no signs of a Companeroes recovery as the referee blew for half time. ONGC were having a field day at the office as Companeroes had it all to do in the second half.

Companeroes did begin the second half with a lot more belief, but failed to work Agnelo Gomes, who was in goal for ONGC. Bhola Prasad nearly made up for his penalty miss, when he unleashed a vicious drive which went flying past the upright. It was a great attempt from the ONGC No.6.
ONGC’s Lavino Fernandes headed home from a couple of feet in the 61st minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Companeroes missed a great chance to equalize in the 67th minute, when a cross from the right flank evaded everyone in the box and found Jardin Braganza in space, but he couldn’t keep his effort on target.

ONGC made no mistake at the other end as they added another in the 69th minute through Joel Sequeira who was unmarked at the far post to tap in a Hassan Mohammed Adyola cross from the right flank.
Six minutes later, ONGC scored again with Kailash Patil getting his fourth of the afternoon. This was the pick of the goals, as Kailash Patil cut in from the right flank, to send a curler into the top corner.

ONGC missed two good chances in the 85th minute, as F.Lalmuanpuia’s attempt was brilliantly saved Wren Dabreo before Lavino Fernandes shot wide after finding space in the Companeroes penalty area.

Shabaz Khan missed a great chance to get Companeroes on the score sheet in the 90th minute after he was one on one with the ONGC goalkeeper. The referee drew Companeroes out of their misery as he blew for full time as there was no stoppage time.

ONGC were dominant from the first minute and the result was never really in doubt.

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