Women's Football League 2009-10      Father Agnel's (Red) v Bodyline FC   Match Report by Shailesh Karkera Sharon Fernandes’ opportunistic strike late in the second half gave Father Agnel’s Red a crucial 1-0 victory over Bodyline in the second round of post season games in the Women’s Football League. Despite a heavy outfield that ruined gameplay, both teams were made to dig deep in what eventually turned out to be a fast-paced encounter with end-to-end football.   Great start for Bodyline Bodyline, beaten 3-1 by Agnels in an identical match-up earlier this season, started off strong with a flurry of moves in the first five minutes.  Forwards Shrist Gari and Juhi Shah played two great through balls from opposite flanks which were cleared by some great defending by Agnel’s skipper Rocky Maymol. The defender was back in action within a minute – muscling striker Levanah Divekar off the ball after the Bodyline player had set off on a thirty yard run on goal. It took seven minutes for Agnels to create anything constructive in the attacking third. League top scorer Blanka Barretto’s solo run down the right flank took her past three players but her resultant shot slammed into the side netting. Crucial Saves A beautiful ball by playmaker Sharon Fernandes set up Blanka in the 12th minute and keeper Kimberly Miranda came to Bodyline’s rescue this time around with a reflexive goal-line save off a powerful shot by the lanky forward. Midway through the first half, an infringement at the edge of the box resulted in a free-kick for Agnels – and up stepped Maymol to take it. Going for goal, the defender’s shot curled her over the wall and seemed headed for the top corner until another great save by Kimberly denied the opener for the reds. Impressive shutout As the referee signalled for the interval, Bodyline became only the second team –after Companeroes – to register a first half clean sheet against the Agnel’s (Red) girls who, incidentally, have scored a staggering forty goals in six games this season. Credit goes to the tireless efforts of Bodyline’s defensive centre-back partnership of Sanaya Bokdawala and Neha Shah for thwarting the forwards. On to the second half and the rain continued to play spoilsport as both team struggled to keep possession of the ball courtesy of the less-than-ideal playing surface.   Continued on page 2