The 7th Annual Trinity – S.Thomas’ encounter which was worked off at CR and FC grounds ended in a goalless stalemate, as the Shield remained with the Thomians in Mount Lavinia.
The lads from the hills started proceedings rather positively with skipper Dinura Ediriweera and Tarika Liyanage linking up well with the wide men Anuka Boyagoda and Ravishka Herath.
With the midfield playmakers spreading play from left to right with ease the Thomians had their work cut out throughout the 90 minutes.
Tharika Liyanage had the opportunity to open the scoring for the visitors but saw his glancing header crawl over the bar after the Thomian custodian was left in no man’s land.
As the half progressed Anuka Boyagoda let fly from 20 yards out also to see his effort kiss the bar on its way out while Ediriweera’s thunderous long range effort went just past the up-right.
The Thomians woke up to the task in the 30th minute as they managed to string a few passes of their own and created a few openings for themselves.
However, both sides were culprits of not making the most of their opportunities.
As the half drew to a close it was the visitors on the ascendency as they continued to taunt the inexperienced Thomain backline.
As the referee blew for lemons the Trinitians were left ruing their missed opportunities as the Thomians on the flipside had their work cut out for the second half if they were to keep the coveted shield at home.
Half time – S.Thomas’ College 0 – 0 Trinity College
The second half began as things ended in the first half, with the Trinity lads dominating play. Boyagoda and Liyanage pulled strings from midfield as they managed to pin the Thomian playmakers in defense.
As the clock kept ticking away fatigue kicked into play with a couple of players hitting the ground with injuries.
An onslaught of set pieces didn’t do any good to the Trinitian ambitions as they squandered all those opportunities unable to breach the Thomian defense.
The only bright spark for the Thomians was the 15 year old Shenal De Alwis, who despite his age, size and the lack of experience pulled in an outstanding shift upfront with his skills and trickery. He was unfortunate not to have been awarded a goal as the referee had deemed there was a foul in the build up to the goal.
Although carrying on with a head injury Tharika Liyanage went a few surging runs causing ample amount of headache to the Thomian defense clearly proving to be the difference in the dying stages on the second half.
Full time – S.Thomas’ College 0 – 0 Trinity College
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Tharika Liyanage (Trinity College)
Speaking to ThePapare.com Mr.R.M.U.Mahindapala the coach of S.Thomas’ College;
“We were lucky to come out with a draw. They (Trinity College) played good attacking football and we had to be content with defending and that was the tone for the entire 90 minutes for us.”
The coach of Trinity College Kandy had this to say;
“We played good attacking football and we were unfortunate not to win. We should have capitalized on our opportunities and we had a few decisions going against us as well, but that’s football.”
Other Results
U11 – Trinity College 0 – 1 S.Thomas’ College
U13 B – Trinity College 3 – 0 S.Thomas’ College
U13 A Trinity College 2 – 1 S.Thomas’ College
U15 B Trinity College 0 – 0 S.Thomas’ College
U15 A Trinity College 1 – 1 S.Thomas’ College
U17 Trinity College 0 – 1 S.Thomas’ College
