Bankmen puncture Mahindras’ hopes

Mahindras sunk further and with just five points from 11 matches, the noose has tightened as they attempt to stave off relegation.

For bankmen, it was the mid-field which held sway for most part. Mahesh Singh and Hamilton Bobby did what was expected, using the open spaces well and slipping in the passes. It was Mahesh’s goal which lifted their spirits early in the second half after the unbelievable miss from Sabir Pasha early in the first half.

Ismail Mahfooz’s tuck from the left flank had the Mahindras defence in tatters and with goal-keeper Manoj Jaggi off balance, Pasha shot over with an open goal beckoning him.Mahesh’s goal was a gem and a fine piece of opportunism to boot, just after change of ends. From a breakaway move, Karunakar Raj tucked it back, finding a better placed colleague. Mahesh, who sensed a goal, packed a lot of punch in that good, 30-yard shot which settled nicely into the goal. The bankmen suddenly seem to come alive, with their relief being so palpable.

Nathaniel made it doubly sure midway through, taking his time to gauge the angle and smacking in a left-footer to the far post. A case of the boot being in the other foot for Mahindras, as he had represented them the last year.

The bankmen’s impeccable record against Mahindras in recent times stood them in good stead. They took delight in rubbing it in on the opposition with bouts of short passes to unsettle them. The snap shots at goal had that air of assurance.

Not that Mahindras caved in meekly. They more than made a match of it. Wing back Ramesh Razak was in the thick of action, not letting down his guard and looking for half chances tooverlap.