Ellan Vannin (0) 2 Whitley 47 Caine 57
Tamil Eelam (0) 0
Estimated attendance: 400
Played at Carshalton Athletic
Admission: £6 Senior
Mileage: 93/9,020
The game did not have the stunning goals of Thursday’s opener but the day was still a very good one for Ellan Vallin. Not only did they produce a solid performance to defeat a tigerish Tamil Eelam (pun intended) but a defeat in the first game of the afternoon at Carshalton for Barawa leaves the Islanders in command of Group A, wanting just a point from their final game to qualify for the quarter final as group winners.
On a hot afternoon, in the midst of a congested schedule that sees the group stages completed tomorrow, it was not surprising that the game failed to reach the heights of the opening day.
A clash of heads within the first minute saw Ellan Vannin lose Darren Cain with a cut forehead. The first half unfolded with the Manx side firmly in control of the game but the final pass was found wanting on too many occasions.
Ellan Vannin were denied a lead after 13 minutes when the Tamil’s goalkeeper, Robert Osman produced a blinding one-handed save to thwart Ciaran McNulty.
Whilst they offered very little going forward, Tamil Eelam thrilled their boisterous following with their combative efforts.
An early second half defensive slip in the centre of the Tamil back line allowed Stephen Whitley to stride clear and shoot past Osman for the opening goal.
Four minutes later, the Tamils hit a post as Quinthan Navaneethakrishnan lobbed the Manx ‘keeper Dean Kearn only to see the ball cleared to safety after the ball came back from the woodwork.
After 57 minutes, my man of the match, the surging Ellan Vannin full back Sam Caine turned smartly on the edge of the box to fire into the bottom corner.
To their credit, Tamil Eelam worked hard to give their supporters something to cheer but the Ellan Vannin defence were more than their equal.
Unfortunately, I now have to watch from afar and hope that Ellan Vannin make it to and through the quarter finals, allowing me to pick up their progress in the semi-finals on Thursday.
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