KP come back with second-half blitz

With today’s result, KP XI are back in the reckoning after a defeat at the hands of SRPF in their opener, leaving Parshuramians with a hard task of beating SRPF in the last league match slated for February 3. Parshuramians have just one point while KP have two points. Kirkee Blues have two points with two draws while SRPF have three points with one draw and a win. In the four-team Super League each team have a match to go.

After the Parshuramians were sitting pretty with three goals in their kitty in the first 35 minutes of play, KP XI responded with a dramatic reply in the second session, scoring four goals to notch victory and gain a lease of life in the league.

Rohit Swamy (42nd), Sanjay Pillay (45th), A George (60th) and Dinesh Dravid (69th) netted for KP. Earlier, Niranjan Parkar (5th), Nitin Ganjwe (10th) and Ritesh Mehta (15th) swept Parshuramians to a commanding lead.

There was plenty of hue and cry about the refereeing but referee Fidalius Fernandes appeared sound in his decisions.

Either side emphatically protested the official’s decisions — first KP XI, when penalised for handling the ball in the penalty area and later it was Parshuramians’ turn when dealt with the same stick for a similar infringement.

If the first session belonged to Parshuramians, the lads from City area, it were KP XI who dictated terms after the change of ends with some aggressive play both in defence and attack.

Niranjan Parkar netted from the dreaded spot when a KP XI defender, in a desperate attempt to ward off danger, got a hand on to the ball and the referee promptly pointed to the penalty spot in the fifth minute.

Two goals came in a span of ten minutes thereafter through Nitin Ganjwe (10th) and Ritesh Mehta (15th). However, riding on their huge lead, Parshuramians appeared to turn prey to overconfidence and a change in fortunes followed after the interval.

KP struck seven minutes into the second half when Rohit Swany found the target from the top of the box, beating ‘keeper Gopi Lonkar and the crowded defence with a stunning right-footer. Sanjay Pillay brought the contest well and truly alive by pulling one back at 2-3 with a fine placement.

The goals fired KP’s resolve and stepping up tempo they seemed unstoppable. Although they were aggressive, their positive approach made the difference and it drew their opponents to rough play. The referee was was again in the thick of things when he flashed Prashant Kelkar the yellow.

The equaliser stemmed from a spectacular move. Rohit Swamy ran down the left flank and his centre was nodded home by A George who caught Parshuramians’ keeper napping.

On level terms now, the Ghorpuri lads continued with the same spirit and were rewarded when a rival defender erred as they did in the first half. A penalty and Dinesh Dravid converted without fuss to bring up a deserving victory for KP XI.

Kirkee stifle cops: SRPF could have won the match with ease but their rough tactics as against tough play by the Kirkee Blues saw the latter hold the edge over 70 minutes play.

Although SRPF are quite safe with three points they will miss the service of their regular defenders, Suryanaryanan Naidu who brooked orders by referee Nandu Angirwal while Ravi Thorat with two yellow cards will have to sit out against Parshuramians.

Michael Andrews put Kirkee Blues ahead in the 28th minute but SRPF equalised in the 17th minute of the second half to salvage a point.

Today’s fixtures: 2.00 p.m. (IIIrd Div): K P XI vs Khadki Blues; 3.30 p.m. (IInd Div): Fatima XI vs Knights XI.