JOURNAJUNKIE

Pailan Arrows 1-1 United Sikkim: Tirthankar Sarkar strikes late on to break Sikkim hearts

United Sikkim missed yet another winning chance after conceding a goal in the last minutes. USFC drew the first blood in the 74^th minute through Anwar Ali but with three minutes left on the clock Tirthakar Sarkar of Pailan Arrows equalized to deny the USFC’s first victory in away games and the much needed 3 points.

The game started on a very cautious note and with both teams trying to size up each other the game was full of commitment but lacking in quality. Nathan Hall’s side was in greater need of the points and in the first half neither of the team could produce chances. The only real chance for USFC fell in the half hour mark when Nurudeen Salau sprinted down the left and sent in a pin point cross which was met in the area by Nima Tamang but the striker shot wide from close range.

The second half started on a more lively note with both sides fashioning opportunities in quick succession. The United Sikkim countered swiftly, but the impressive John Matkin couldn’t quite make the most of his chance at the other end and rather most of his shots went straight at the keeper. In the 74^th minute captain Anwar Ali scored goal for United Sikkim. The Pailan Arrows were looked a bit shell-shocked after that goal and the coach Arthur Papas brought in Tirthakar who broke the hearts of USFC supporters by scoring the equalizer for his team. Just as it looked as though the away side would hold on for the all important three points, they conceded last minute goal once again.

The Arrows will feel lucky to have got anything out of it. For United Sikkim though, the result represents a body blow to their already thin hopes of survival. The poor USFC now have a mountain to climb and they remain fixed to the bottom of the table with just 12 points from 18 games.