Mohun Bagan thrash United SC to get back to winning ways

The win maintains the Mariners’ title hopes…

Mohun Bagan got back to winning ways in the Calcutta Football League as they thrashed United Sports Club 3-1 at the Mohun Bagan Ground yesterday. Daniel Bidemi (19', 56') and Scottish striker Darryl Duffy (35') netted for Bagan while Budhiram Tudu (23') scored for the purple brigade. Mohun Bagan got an early goal in the 19th minute as Bidemi’s excellent left-footer clattered the back of the net. He received a fine pass from Pankaj Moula which he controlled brilliantly with his right foot and then drilled the left-footer in the top corner of the net. United SC got the equaliser within four minutes from a piece of individual brilliance from Budhiram Tudu to make it 1-1 but unfortunately he had to leave the pitch with a hamstring strain and could not take any further part in the match. The Mariners once again took the lead soon after courtesy a brilliant goal from Duffy. Tanmoy produced an inviting cross from the right flank and Duffy scored with a precision header leaving Sangram Mukherjee completely helpless and the Mariners went into the break with a narrow lead. Soon after the second half commenced, the purple brigade were denied a genuine penalty when the ball touched Raju Gailwad's hand inside the box but the referee overlooked it. In the 56th minute Bidemi scored his second goal to make it 3-1 with a fine shot profiting from the opposition keeper’s mistake. After conceding the third goal, United tried to come back strongly into the game as Suhair VP’s effort came off the crossbar. In the 69th minute, Sankar Oraon’s powerful strike needed an excellent save from Arnab Das Sharma. The scoreline did not change till the final whistle as Mohun Bagan secured the all-important three points which will boost the Green and Maroon brigade ahead of the Kolkata Derby that is likely to prove the title decider. Man of the Match Bidemi said, “I am happy to be a part of my team’s success but it would have been nice to get a hat-trick.” When asked about his plans for the derby against East Bengal, the Nigerian played it straight saying, “Who does not want to score in the derby? It’s an opportunity to become a crowd favourite. Coach Shankarlal Chakraborty said, “Its good to be back with a win. We need to keep the momentum going.” Scottish striker Darryl Duffy expressed his frustration after he was replaced by Amiri and Duffy said, “I was expecting a second goal but it did not happen. So I threw my hands in the air in frustration nothing else.”