Pelicans escape grounding against Saunders

 St. Mary’s SC captain M. Nitharsan (white jersey number 8) attempts to gain possession of the ball against two opposing players to score against Solid SC

By Susil Premalal

High Flying Pelicans SC were almost brought down from their soaring heights as they desperately managed to score a 1-0 win over a determined Saunders Sports Club in their FFSL Champions League Super Eight round sixth week match on Sunday at the Race Course ground in Colombo.

After six matches under the Super Eight round, Pelicans SC, hailing from Kurunegala have posted four wins and two draws accumulating 14 points keeping them firmly at the top of the points table. 

They have one remaining match against New Star SC Colombo on March 14 at the same venue and a victory would guarantee them the Super Eight championship. Java Lane SC currently follows Pelicans with 12 points, having won three of their six matches while remaining unbeaten in the other matches. They are set to face Solid SC on March 15. Pelicans scored their solitary and match winning goal through forward Earnest Addo in the 65th minute, earning him the Man of the Match award for his decisive contribution.

Meanwhile, the match between St. Mary’s SC Jaffna and Solid SC Anuradhapura ended in a 2–2 draw.  The first half concluded 1–1 with St. Mary’s captain M. Nitharsan scoring in the 17th and 55th minutes. 

Solid SC’s S. Gnanarupan scored in the second minute, and Henry Chibueze equalised in the 88th minute, securing the draw.  Chibueze was awarded Man of the Match for his performance.