Central Excise edge out PCTC

Central Excise, playing their second match in as many days, were on the offensive in the first half. Anup Anthony was controlling the pace of the game while creating opportunities aplenty for Excise men. Anup in the company of Vivek Ramakrishna tried to break through the Pioneers’ defence on quite a few times.

But the first half was a session of missed opportunities for both teams. Central Excise’ charge was dented by some gritty defending from PCTC’s SP Kujur and Dinesh Kumar.

For PCTC, Sunil Kumar Ekka and Saran Lakra were on the prowl, probing and testing the Excise defence. Lakra took a couple of hits on the target but to no avail as Arvind Jerome averted any damage for Excise. PCTC also got a penalty-corner in the 15th minute which, however, they failed to convert.

The second half began with both teams level at 0-0. Just as Central Excise looked were a determined lot in the first half, PCTC had a spring in their step in the second. It was, however, Excise who took the lead when Alden D’Souza struck in the 45th minute after a clean pass from Vivek from the left of the D.

PCTC hit back almost immediately with a sensational counter-attack as S Kujur tapped in a brilliant cross from Sunil Kumar Ekka in the 46th minute. The next 24 minutes saw attacking play with both sides trying to outwit each other but lacked in execution.

Ajay Aiyappa eventually broke the shackle in the 67th minute as he converted the last penalty-corner of the match and take Central Excise home 2-1.  

Result: Super divison: Central Excise: 2 (Alden D’Souza 45th, Ajay Aiyappa 67th) bt PCTC: 1 (S Kujur 46th); HT: 0-0.