Central Railway produced a fighting second half display to overcome G.M. Sports 2-1 in a tight Elite Division match of the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) League 2015-2016, and played at the Cooperage football ground, on Monday.
Striker Rashid Shaikh netted both the goals for the railwaymen while Steve N’cho converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time whistle to give G.M. Sports the lead.
G.M. Sports did well to match their more experienced rival and enjoyed a better share of the exchanges in the first period during which they earned a penalty when Central defender Arun E.K. committed a deliberate foul on Steve who stepped forward coolly scored from the spot.
Central stung by that setback regrouped and started the second half at full throttle and they were lucky to take the lead when a defensive lapse by the rival defenders allowed Shaikh with the simple task of tapping in to an open net in the 65th minute.
Later, right outer Shafique P. made a good run down the flank before he cut into the box and with a measured square pass found Shaikh ideally positioned. The latter made no mistake in guiding the ball home to help Central clinch a win.
Results, at Cooperage ground –Elite Div: Central Railway 2 (Rashid Shaikh 65th, 82nd) beat G.M. Sports 1 (Steve 45th-pen).