Sheikh nets brace

A minute before the breather, Diago Fernandes equalised for Mahindras on a rebound. Railways8217; goalkeeper Assumption Varella blocked Cayton Gomes, attempting to score from a free-kick. But Fernandes pounced on the rebound and sent the ball in.

Sheikh put Central ahead again in 23rd minute, scoring from close range after Francis Fernandes crossed over the Mahindras8217; defence.

The second match between Tata Sports Club and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers RCF ended in a goalless draw. Fine football by Marto Gracis, Sarkar Kalyan and John Alphonso of Tatas against a younger RCF failed to fetch a goal. RCF8217;s former international custodian,Bhaskar Maity, was again in the thick of action, diving and blocking splendidly. Jagdish Thapa, Aloke Mukherjee and Nakul Dev played a major role in RCF8217;s mid-field ascendancy.

Sushil Kumar all but scored for RCF. His powerful long-ranger from 25 yards struck the bar and came back into play.

Tatas went close in the dying minutes. R Adrian received a through pass, dribbled past goalkeeper Maity but finished with a wayward shot that sailed over the bar.

In an interesting match, Bombay Customs drew their encounter with Century Rayon 3-3. P Jayanand put Rayon ahead in the third minute on Ranabhadur Ele8217;s through pass. Seven minutes later, Manoj Srivastava got the equaliser for Customs. Santimano Geoani put Customs ahead in the 29th minute on a Anand Singh pass. In the 32th minute, P Jaynand lunched on to the ball in a defence lapse and found the net and put the Century at par with Customs. Dominic D8217;Souza put Century ahead in the 38th minute with a solo run. His powerful shot went between Customs8217;goalkeeper Stanley8217;s legs.

Santimano brought the equaliser a minute before the final whistle and saved the day for Customs.