Negombo Youth survived a mighty scare as they came from a goal back to win 2-1 against Kalutara Park at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Saloutho Romeo scored inside the first five minutes for Kalutara Park but Pradeep Fernando equalized on the stroke of half time and added the winner straight after halftime to give the all-important three points.
Negombo Youth and Kalutara Park are struggling this season and are in danger of being relegated. After four matches this season they each had one win and this match was crucial for both sides.
Coming from a crucial win against fellow strugglers Matara City, Kalutara Park got off to a dream start as Saloutho Romeo headed in the opener in the 4th minute. He headed in the ball from a delightful cross rising above the defenders.
There on in Kalutara Park settled to play good football while creating a couple of chances which were unfortunately missed, most significantly when Romeo missed after going one on one against goalkeeper Vimukthi Maduwantha.
Towards the latter stages of the first half Negombo Youth with their pride and survival at stake came into the match as Kalutara Park started to defend deep in their own half. That tactic backfired on Park as Negombo Youth enjoyed good possession and it was a matter of time they got the equalizer.
They got it through Captain Pradeep Fernando but it was all the work of Harindra Peiris. Peiris danced down the left flank going past a couple of defenders; while his effort was blocked it fell to Fernando who had the easiest task of scoring from point blank range on the stroke of half time.
Kalutara Park hadn’t learnt their lesson after half time as they struggled against and Pradeep Fernando scored what would eventually be the winner in the 55th minute. The architect was again Peiris who crossed the ball into the six yard box and Pradeep put a leg out and the ball bounced off it to the roof of the net.
Though Negombo Youth dominated the second half after the second goal they were unable to add more goals as Kalutara Park defended stoutly hoping for a way back into the match which unfortunately for them never came.
The Papare.com Man of the Match: Harindra Peiris
