Income Tax played with solid grit and gumption and managed to overcome the spirited challenge from Central Bank of India to register a hard-fought 2-1 win in an exciting and tense Elite (Corporate) Division match of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) League 2022-2023 and played at the Neville D’Souza ground, Bandra.
Last season’s runners-up Income Tax and Central Bank were engaged in an absorbing tussle for supremacy and there was plenty of action at either end of the field. While Income Tax did well to convert their chances that came their way, Central Bank despite enjoying the lion’s share of goal-scoring opportunities were once again guilty of missing easy sitters and could only score one goal in the first half.
Income Tax from a snap move took the lead with Sandesh Gadkari finding the back of the Central Bank net in the 18th minute. Central Bank, who wasted quite a few openings, finally managed to find success when Numan Ansari fired home just before the half-time whistle to ensure his team went into the break on level terms at 1-all.
After switching ends, Income Tax once again hit the target through Dawson Rebello to regain the lead, which they managed to hang on to dearly till the final whistle and snatch the win and the full three points.
In First Division encounters, Keith Josephs scored the all-important winner and guided Youth Soccer Academy to a narrow 1-0 win against Kapadia Nagar FC. In another match, Bombay Gymkhana Colts blanked Worli Sports Club 2-0. Strikers Yohan Malao and Siddharth Shah scored a goal each to seal Bombay Gymkhana’s victory.
Result – Elite Div: Income Tax 2 (Sandesh Gadkari, Dawson Rebello) beat Central Bank of India 1 (Numan Ansari).
Super Div: Naval Dockyard 5 (Ramees M. 2, Ganesh Tabib, Vishal Dhanu, Kevin Yerangle) beat Central Railway Mumbai Division 2 (Asif Jamal, Pankaj Raware).
First Div: Bombay Gymkhana Colts 2 (Yohan Malao, Siddharth Shah) beat Worli SC 0.
Youth Soccer Academy 1 (Keith Joseph) beat Kapadia Nagar FC 0.
Third Div: Twinkle Stars FC 3 (Abuzaid Ansari, Ali Qureshi, Bilal Khan) beat Storm Chasers FC 0.