Golden Threads FC, Ernakulam overcame the scorching sun and the reputation of its opponent State Bank of Travancore (SBT), Thiruvananthapuram to win 2-1 in the ONGC second division I league (Group A) opener at the football stadium here on Saturday.
Golden Threads took time to settle down. And by that time the bankmen went 1-0 up through a K. Rakesh goal. But once the Ernakulam side began to find its bearings and threading moves, the bankmen went on the backfoot.
A 17th minute free kick taken by Kabeer well inside the Golden Threads half was deftly crossed into the goalmouth by captain Abdul Noushad and Rakesh lurking in the middle headed home in style (1-0). But that proved the lone moment of joy for the bankmen.
In the 33rd minute a harmless looking long ball from the middle was handled inside the box by stopper Abdul Basheer and the resultant penalty kick was neatly converted by Nigerian Onome (1-1).
In the 54th minute a snap raid from the right resulted in the match winner for Golden Threads. Onome eluded an advancing SBT custodian Jean Christian and squared for Sanjay Vannara, to tap into an open goal.
SBT was soon reduced to 10 men with striker Rakesh getting his second booking of the match and SBT looked toothless thereafter.
Malabar, Chandni split points
In the day's second fixture, fancied Malabar United (Calicut) and Chandni FC shared two goals and points, in a well contested tie.
In the 77th minute Malabar United went into the lead through a penalty. A Vijesh Kumar shot was handled inside the box by K.V. Shamil and the resultant spot kick was converted by C.K. Jithesh.
In the very next minute Chandni FC equalised with K.P. Zubair heading home a fine long throw-in by Hasim Malik which caught the entire Malabar defence on the wrong foot.
Other results:At New Delhi: New Delhi Heroes 5 (Baba Tunde (3), Charles Egware, Jiten Rai) bt Simla Youngs 1 (Ligochukwli ); Sesa Football Academy, Goa 2 (Israil Gurung, Savio Carneiro) bt Hindustan Club 1 (Mahender Singh Rawat).
