Bengaluru FC forward Lalpekhlua in action against Francis Xaviers FC in a KSFA 'C' Division League match. (Photo courtesy: Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru FC’s U-15 Boys began their KSFA ‘C’ Division League campaign with an 8-1 win over Francis Xaviers FC, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. The Young Blues had four goalscorers, with Sparsh Desai scoring four times (11’, 17’, 37’, 49’), Lalpekhlua grabbing a brace (19’, 39’), while Ashik Adhikari (1’) and Vanlaltleipuia (41’) scored one apiece in the big win.
Bengaluru began strongly, and found the net with less than sixty seconds on the clock when Ashik’s attempted volley found its way past the Xavier’s goalkeeper. Only ten minutes later, the Young Blues’ persistence paid off once again when Sparsh slotted home from close range off a Lalpekhlua cross to double the lead.
Rajan Mani’s side continued to make inroads into the Xaviers’ half, and score two more times in the first half as Newton Ningthoujam provided for Sparsh’s second, once again a tap in from close range. With 20 minutes on the clock, Ashik’s run into the box drew a foul from Santhosh G, prompting the referee to award a penalty that Lalpekhlua slotted with aplomb to make it 4-0.
Into the second period, Bengaluru refused to sit back and added to their lead just seven minutes in when Sparsh smashed home from Ashik’s cross to make it 5-0. Lalpekhlua scored his second and the Young Blues’ sixth only two minutes later, with an individual effort that saw him drive through the Xaviers defense and slot home past Harish.
Bengaluru would score two more times, with Vanlaltleipuia at the end of a well-worked set-piece routine in the 41st minute. Xaviers found what would be a consolation when Jegan’s volley flew past Rohen Singh in the BFC goal, only for Sparsh to add his fourth to settle the tie at 8-1.
The BFC U15 Boys next face Stride FC in the KSFA ‘C’ Division League, on Saturday, at the same venue.
(Bengaluru FC)