MFL Elite Division 2009 -10            Kenkre FC v Union Bank of India   Match Report by Shailesh Karkera Kenkre FC opened up a four point gap at the top of the MFL Elite Division standings following a 3-0 victory against a misfiring Union Bank of India in a victory which was anything but comprehensive as the score-line suggests.  With both teams level-pegged until eighteen minutes from time, UBI were made to rue their many missed opportunities as Kenkre midfielder Akash Yadav scored the all-important second goal to seal off the tie. Early Bird Union Bank, winless in the league this year, started off the better of the two but were dealt a massive blow to their team morale when league-leaders Kenkre FC opened the scoring as early as the 8th minute.  Speedy winger Nigel Dsouza’s showed great reflexes to shake off his marker with an on-the-turn strike which left the keeper helpless as the ball crashed into the back of the net. Goal! 1-0. As the minutes wore on, Union Bank slowly began clawing their way back into the game. Vikas Mangela hot from inside the box hit the side-netting of the goal before striker Tarique Ansari’s close range effort was saved by the Kenkre goalkeeper, Shabeer PM in the 14th minute.  Getting there… At the other end, Shane Vanshipley – awarded with his first start his season following his heroics in the previous outing  against Central Railway – went close with a half-volley from the edge of the are which had the UBI keeper scrambling to make a save. Pulling the strings in the heart of the UBI midfield was the accomplished figure of Khalid Siddiqui, whose steady stream of passes kept his team’s attacks in full flow. Midway though the first half, the medio released Lineker Machado on the left flank following another trademark through ball however the midfielder's ensuing strike went straight into the waiting keeper’s gloves.           Continued on Page 2