Sheikh nets brace

A minute before the breather, Diago Fernandes equalised for Mahindras on a rebound. Railways’ 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 Mahindras’ 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. RCF’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 RCF’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 Ele’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 D’Souza put Century ahead in the 38th minute with a solo run. His powerful shot went between Customs’goalkeeper Stanley’s legs.

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