TFA maitain winning streak, SBT beat Ever Ready

Jamshedpur, Mar 6 (UNI) Tata Football Academy topped the league table, outclassing Punjab Police 2-1, while Kerala's State Bank of Travancore (SBT) tasted maiden victory against Ever Ready (2-1) in the ONGC cup second division National Football Leagure at JRD Tata sports complex here today.

Punjab Police drew first blood in the very first minute when TFA custodian Arindam Bhattacharya fumbled as he could not grip a goal-bound shot.

Striker Amarjeet Singh made no mistake to push the ball in the net (1-0).

Conceding the goal, TFA boys attacked with renewed vigour and equalised through L M Farnandez in the 29th minute (1-1).

TFA captain Robert Lalthalma scored the winning goal soon after the lemon break (2-1).

With this win, TFA earned seven points from three matches after winning two and draw in one.

In the other match, SBT opened their account in the 38th minute when they earned a penalty and Pradeep beat Ever Ready goalkeeper Sibram Dey (1-0).

Ever Ready striker M F Chibueze restored parity through a fine header in the 57th minute (1-1).

But the Bank team fought back valiantly after conceding the goal and Pradeep romped home through a smart header after receiving a lob from the left flank in the 77th minute (2-1).

The Kolkata outfit then tried to equalise but SBT goalkeeper H Rahman did good work under the bar to frustrate the IFA shield runners-up.

Ever Ready collected four points from three outings with one win, one draw and loss in another.

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