VOBA pay the price for lapses

With goals from Amit Navelli (30th minute) and substitute Sourabh Supnekar (70th) for Chetak and Sheroy Raj (82nd) for VOBA the former earned full points, while for the losers it was the first taste of big time league in the city.

Chetak began proceedings surviving a close call in the opening minutes. Deepak Mitra combining with Sheroy, yards outside the box, saw Feroz Banedar and Ravi Padiyar, the Chetak defenders, caught unawares. Sheroy controlled well and with just custodian Varun Khanvalkar to beat, feebly played into the keeper’s hands.

The miss proved costly. Chetak thereafter had a series of attacks go abegging, owing to the lack of application. On one instance Kartik Mandrekar sailed his effort over ‘keeper Khoram Irani and later had the ‘keeper bring off his best when his full blooded drive, from inside the box, was blocked.

The VOBA defence, at this juncture, looked disorganised particularly Dhruv Gajaria – who committed silly mistakes. In contrast, Chetak were in full flow and in yet another close call Kartik had Suhas Kanekar test the VOBA keeper’s abilities, who came out on top, with a effective through pass.

Finally Chetak were rewarded for their efforts. An intelligent side-heal by Kartik, deceived Dhruv, to a Rahul Kad pass from the right had Amit get into the clear on the edge of the box and finish with a second-angle finish.

Changing ends, VOBA pressed hard through Adrian D’Souza, who took on the rivals defence alone, but on all counts was outnumbered. At the other end their goal survived an anxious moment with defender Remos D’Cruz almost handing a gift opportunity to right-winger Rahul. The move was the result of poor marking by Dhruv who allowed Amit to release a pass from the left. However, Rahul in his haste failed to connect well which allowed the VOBA ‘keeper control the situation.Sheroy’s well directed header onto the vertical off a Sujit Quadros corner-kick and a opportunity where an overhead tap past the advanced ‘keeper by Sheroy again added to VOBA’s miseries.

Thereafter, Adrian added his name to the list of `unlucky’ players – with misses to their name, when his well directed header off a Sujit flag-kick was saved the ‘keeper on the goalline.

Chetak finally made it 2-0 when substitute Sourabh Supnekar, who came in for Siddharth Jamadar, placed home a Rahul cross. The goal was yet again the result of poor marking by Dhruv.

Well into injury-time, Sheroy finally scored with an open net upfront after Adrian did well to pass after converge on a Deepak Mitra pass which beat Chetak’s Suhas and Prithviraj Deshmane.

PDFA Bereaved: Meanwhile, the Poona District Football Association (PDFA) has deeply condoled the death of former district footballer Mohan Swamy after a prolonged illness, on Saturday.

The 42-year-old Mohan, an employee of KSB Pumps, was a former Range Hills Young Boys (RHYB) player prior to shifting to KSB Pumps.

Today’s Fixtures: Chetak Sports Club v Falcon Sports Club — 4.30 p.m.