Play-by-Play: Wedson's goal cancelled out by Kromah as the Federation Cup opener ends 1-1

THE FIRST HALF SAW PLENTY of wing play by East Bengal. Crosses came in in good number from either wings. Adil Khan was omnipresent in the Churchill defence. It was Churchill who started off the brighter as Brandon picked by Lyngdoh in the box had opened East Bengal’s defence but the last EB man was alert and gave away a corner before Lyngdoh could get to it. Brandon was involed again as Kromah found his corner onto his head and directed it goal wards but was well wide.

East Bengal had slowly started to see more of the ball and Plaza spotted a gap in the backline was through past the last line of defence. His shot was weak and was well saved with a stretched hand of Naveen.Bukenya received a yellow for a foul from behind.

Churchill took advantage of an incident where Rowlin tripped over the ball in midfield. The quick counter by Churchill came to no use as they could not reach the East Bengal box. Wedson finally found space to shoot from distance but was a comfortable save for Naveen. Adil Khan was brilliant in his tackles and interception and denied Plaza an entry into his box several times.

Kromah was ahead with Wolfe on the counter but his shot was disappointing. The best chance for Churchill was when Wolfe received a ball near the edge of the box, he had an open net to score but Roy did well to out Wolfe off. That moment was Wolfe got injured and was replaced some time later  by Pankaj Sona. The half ends without any goals.

Early exchanges in the second half has Churchill playing with more vigour. Pankaj was though past the EB defence but the assistant found him offside. Churchill out the EB defence under a lot of pressure and were forced to play back as Lyngdoh stole the ball along the right side. His cross fell to Brandon on the far post. Brandon’s powerful shot was blocked in the box. Another follow shot had Roy scrambling and conceded a corner.

The East Bengal has picked up an injury and had to be replaced. The deadlock was broken single handedly by Wedson, who muscled his way past three defenders to enter the box and shot it past Naveen.

Great levelling goal by Churchill. Pankaj played a ball forward to Brandon in the box. He crosses in the middle but is blocked. Brandon sends a calm low pass to a totally open Kromah who slots it home for bring them level.

Kromah had another chance where he comes in from the right flank towards the middle of the top of the D and shoots with left but misses by not too far.

Robin who came on for Plaza had an effort where he met a cross from the left with his head and the ball went just above the crossbar. Churchill could have done lot more with a counter attack when they had more numbers than East Bengal. Lyngdoh was on the right and Brandon was in space in the middle of the pitch. The pass never arrived and Brandon, out of frustration stopped his run midway.

East Bengal had a half chance in the injury time when Bukenya was in the Churhill box. The corner that came in met Bukenya and got blocked. The rebound fell to him again and he suwng his leg but missed to hit the target yards from goal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.