MFL Womens 2009-10     Colaba PIFA v Kenkre FC   Match Report by Shailesh Karkera Colaba PIFA pulled off the first turnaround in the Women’s Football League this season after they came from being a goal down to win 2-1 against a resilient Kenkre FC in a Group B fixture. Cries of joy echoed around the St. Xavier’s Ground as forward Tavashi Pandey’s hopeful shot beat the opposition keeper at the near post and sneaked into the goal in what proved to be the last move of the game. Despite the lack of any clear cut opportunities at either end in the first phase, PIFA were the better of the two teams going forward. Forward Kanchan –‘s unorthodox strike off a corner sent the ball a tad wide of the post early on. Defensive stalwarts Kenkre FC weathered all of the PIFA pressure thanks to the outstanding duo marshalling the defence. A domineering presence inside the penalty area, centre backs Natasha Mistry and Videesha Shetty were consistently breaking down the opposition attacks with their timely tackles and long clearances. The two were arguably the best performers in the white and green strip throughout the contest. Videesha was instrumental in denying PIFA their opener midway through the first half with a great block off a goal-bound shot by forward Natasha who - after some great build up play outside the penalty area –with space inside the box seemed destined to score. Individual brilliance On to the second half and Kenkre FC took the lead against the run of play. Forward Lubna Sheikh, subdued throughout the first phase, took off on a long thirty five yard run after a moment of indecision by the PIFA defence. In a one-on-one situation inside the penalty area, the forward kept her cool to place the ball past the charging keeper and into the goal for a clinical finish. Goal! 1-0 to Kenkre. “You are most vulnerable when you’ve just scored” It took PIFA less than sixty seconds to respond to the setback. Forward Tavashi Pandey was quickest to a loose ball in a goal mouth scramble and thumped home the equaliser from six yards out. Goal. 1-1. Game on! To their credit, PIFA continued to press forward in search of the game winning goal. Forward Natasha was the unsung hero for the girls in orange with her persistent play in the final third and her ability to take on the opposition defenders. Comeback With time running out and both teams on the verge on splitting the points, PIFA’s late surge payed dividend in the final minute of the game. Goal scorer Tavashi Pandey received the ball in a wide position on the left flank and unleashed what seemed like a hopeful attempt on goal. The low shot managed to beat the keeper at the near post and squeezed in off the upright. Goal! 2-1. Unbelievable! As the girls in orange wheeled away in celebration, it was a heartbreaking moment for the Kenkre girls, who had no chance to counter as the referee blew for full time seconds later. The final scoreline had a similar impact on the Women’s League leader boards as the two teams swapped places – PIFA’s back-to-back victories moving them up to third place in Group B while Kenkre FC slipped to fourth. Both teams have two more games to clinch a qualifying spot for the post season playoffs.