A.T. Silva scored a second half hat-trick as Don Bosco utterly dominated the Up Country Lions in a 4-0 win at the Don Bosco Grounds.
The Lions never got going in the match and D.Vicky broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a wonderful strike. Four minutes after the restart A.T. Silva scored his first and a minute later added his teams 3rd goal in a great passage of play for Don Bosco. In the 81st minute Silva completed his hat-trick with a header.
Army SC avenged their first round defeat by Solid SC with a 2-0 win at their Homagama ground. The momentum coming into the match was with Army as they had racked up crushing wins in the previous weeks while Solid were shocked by struggling Kalutara Park. Thus it showed from the opening whistle as Army started to dictate terms. But it was only just before half time that Army scored their first when Mohammed Issadeen broke the offside trap to slot the ball into the bottom corner. It was the same story in the second half and M.C. Ekanayaka put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute with a goal of his own.
Nandimithra SC prevailed in a five goal thriller at the Football Complex in Baddegana as they beat the New Youngs 3-2. It was the New Youngs who took the early lead in the 12th minute as R.T. Fernando scored after some wonderful inter play. The visitors lost their composure as Nandimithra scored 2 goals within a minute. The first one was through P.N.Priyankara in the 34th minute and the other was by U. Madushan. P.D. Weeramanthri added a third for Nandimithra in the 60th minute. Mohammed Mushikan’s 77th minute goal for the New Youngs set up a tense finish but the Nandimithra defense held firm to come away with the three points.
Blue Star scored four goals against the listless Java Lane in a 4-0 win at the Vernon Fernando Stadium in Kalutara. Java Lane who were thrashed 5-1 by Ratnam last week seemed to have never recovered as their offensive and defensive play were erratic and never materialzed against the Blue Star’s superior outfit. O.Daniel opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Mohammed Farseen and Afeez Olayemi scored the second and the third in the 27th and 39th minutes to end the first half with a commanding 3-0 lead. In the second half Java Lane defended better than the first half but were unable to prevent Mohammed Farhath’s 48th minute goal.
Ten man Police SC battled hard to earn a 1 all draw against the travelling Pelicans SC. Pelican’s A.T. Gagar lay claim to the fastest goal scored in this year’s Champions League as he netted the ball inside the opening minute. After the rude awakening Police got into the match and N. Charaka equalized in the 30th minute. After the break neither team was able to create an opening and national Team member Rajitha Jayavilal was shown a straight red card for a wreck less challenge in the 70th minute. Pelicans were unable to make use of the extra man on the field as the Police defense held tight to come away with a deserved point.
Navy SC came from a goal behind to defeat Air Force 2-1 at the Navy Grounds in Welisara. Air Force took the early lead in the 26th minute through Kavindu Ishan. Navy equalized 5 minutes before halftime through N.C. Fernando’s header. Fernando completed his brace in the 63rd minute as he wrong footed the defense to score from 10 yards.
Negombo Youth made Ratnam work hard for their 2-0 win at Kew Points Road. After a goalless first half, Ratnam opened their account when C. Nadeesha slotted in the through past the keeper in the 53rd minute. M.Yogaraja added the second ten minutes later.
