Old Thomians FC and Rathmalana United needed second half goals to win 5-0 and 4-0 respectively against Piliyandala Town FC and Friends FC, after being frustrated by the opposition in the first half, in the 2nd round of the FA Cup 2016.
Rathmalana United v Friends FC
Dominant Rathmalana United were left baffled as the un-fancied Friends FC kept the match goal-less until half time, mainly due to a few brilliant stops from goalkeeper, Mohamed Fazil.
United comfortably controlled the match with possession and territory but failed to convert the chances they created which left the home fans displeased.
A determined United team came out of half time with goals in their mind and got the first in the 56th minute when D.R.Madushanka volleyed home after a goalmouth scramble.
M.G.Ekanayake then went onto score the first of his two goals in the 67th minute and headed home from a wonderful cross near the end.
Soon after K.P.De Silva closed down the scoring with the 4th goal with an easy finish as the inexperienced Friends SC defense fell apart.
Yusuf inspires OTFC once again
Yusuf Rahman continued his red-hot scoring streak with a brace to add to his hat-trick in the last match as he inspired a struggling Old Thomians FC to earn a place in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
OTFC faced an eight man Piliyandala Town FC after a few players from PTFC were left ineligible to participate. However it was the 8-man PTFC who defended resolutely and even mounted a few attacks in the early going.
OTFC failed to make a telling pass in the attacking third and got just two opportunities where Pathum Godagamage fired wide.
Under pressure, Old Thomians finally found a way through when Rahman got on the end of a through ball and his powerful shot beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
Both sides went into half time with the score on 1-0 but with a lot of questions for OTFC.
OTFC found the scoring touch, though not at their best and with the help of a tiring opposition defense.
It was the makeshift center-back Ashwin Dias who earned a penalty when his marauding run left the PTFC defender with no option but to make a desperate challenge which he failed. Dias stepped up to take the spot kick and scored sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Godagamage then made amends for his misses when he took advantage from a defensive error to drive home the third goal.
Rahman then added the 4th and midfielder Banuka Silva scored the 5th late in the match.
Though the score line suggested an easy win for OTFC they were left with much to ponder about.
Other Results
Group A
1st Round
Nawinna United SC 4 – 1 Galle United SC
2nd Round
Golden Eleven 2 -2 (4-3) Sunny Mount SC
Group C
Qualifying Round
Samanala SC (Polonnaruwa) 3 – 0 Al Hilal SC (Polonnaruwa)
Lucky Star SC (Ampara) 7 – 3 Vivekananda SC (Ampara)
Green Light SC 1 – 0 Stallion SC
Gold Fish SC 1 – 0 Light House SC
1st Round
United Star SC (Negombo) 2 – 1 Jupiters SC (Negombo)
Al Hira SC (Wennappuwa) 0 – 0 (2-1) Kurana United SC (Negombo)
Liver Pool SC (Puttalam) 3 – 1 Pearl SC (Puttalam)
Kekirawa United SC 2 – 1 Rajarata Lions SC (Anuradhapura)
Group D
1st Round
Serendib SC (Mawanella) 4 – 1 Youth SC (Mawanella)
2nd Round
Young Marians SC (N’pitiya) 2 – 1 Young Anurudians SC (N’pitiya)
