League

Sowerby Bridge Stadi
Spectators: 6777 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1767, VIP seats: 10) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Ranjit Bhattacharya made the kick off which started today's match. The supporters of Sowerby Bridge AFC booed when SIKKIM AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cirayu Shindi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Srinivasiah Khandelwal who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 3rdth minute tested the skills of Amritaksara Sodhi when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Kasi Mohan hit a great freekick 11 minutes into the match. When SIKKIM AFC's Devarpana Beesla in the 17th minute got a chance for a shot 17th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Sowerby Bridge AFC's goalie prevented a goal. Rajkumar Dalel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Citrabhuta Thapa in the 19th minute of the match. In the 20th match minute, Sowerby Bridge AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kasi Mohan to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 26 minutes, Devarpana Beesla managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SIKKIM AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Devarpana Beesla was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 27th minute, Devarpana Beesla got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. SIKKIM AFC's Amritaksara Sodhi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ranjit Bhattacharya in the 30th minute of play. If Ranjit Bhattacharya had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 35 minutes into the match, Devarpana Beesla notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Sowerby Bridge AFC's Rajkumar Dalel. Rajkumar Dalel was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Srinivasiah Khandelwal recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 41st minute, Devarpana Beesla managed to get in a good position for a shot. SIKKIM AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Devarpana Beesla was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rajkumar Dalel breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. If Devarpana Beesla had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Sowerby Bridge AFC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. SIKKIM AFC were winning 0-2.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Citrabhuta Thapa stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Citrabhuta Thapa was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 52nd minute. SIKKIM AFC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. 53 minutes into the match, Sowerby Bridge AFC's goalkeeper Rajkumar Dalel had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Citrabhuta Thapa. With a little luck, Sowerby Bridge AFC's Rajkumar Dalel got control of the ball when Devarpana Beesla tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 55th minute, Citrabhuta Thapa got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 58th minute of the match Agniketu Khanna sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Rajkumar Dalel skillfully saved the ball. After 69 minutes, Cirayu Shindi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the SIKKIM AFC and the Sowerby Bridge AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Cirayu Shindi kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. In the 78th minute the ball was on its way in behind Sowerby Bridge AFC's goalkeeper Rajkumar Dalel, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After a rather tough play, Sowerby Bridge AFC's Ambaka Kumar got a free kick in the 79th minute. Rajkumar Dalel showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Citrabhuta Thapa in the 80th minute of the match. After a defensive mix-up in Sowerby Bridge AFC's zone, Bhrngara Pawar stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rajkumar Dalel came out of the goal and Bhrngara Pawar tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 90 minutes into the match, Sowerby Bridge AFC's goalkeeper Rajkumar Dalel had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Devarpana Beesla. After some fancy dribbling in the 92nd minute, Ranjit Bhattacharya managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sowerby Bridge AFC's supporters rose to their feet, but Ranjit Bhattacharya was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Amritaksara Sodhi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The SIKKIM AFC supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing SIKKIM AFC would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.