Bagan scrape through Chirag's inexperience

Kolkata, Aug 5 (UNI) Mohun Bagan withstood a tough Chirag United challenge to come out winners 4-3 in the Kolakata Premier Football League match at home on Sunday.

With the score reading 2-1 in favour of United at half time, a special effort was needed from the green-and-maroons in the second half. Jose Barreto took up the challenge and ensured his team got back to winning ways. Some tactical moves by coach Roberto Carlos Pereira also paid rich dividends.

The first goal came in the 14th minute. Barreto sent a cross from left and an unmarked S. Venkatesh headed home. United equalised in the 21st minute as Bagan keeper Sangram Mukherjee missed the flight of a corner and team's new foreign recruit Peter Odafa handled the goal-bound ball. Referee Kashinath Sen gave the penalty and United's overseas striker Theo scored from the spot.

They went ahead in the 41st minute. Lalkamal Bhowmick lost possession inside his own half. Theo collected the ball, passed it to Shankar Oraon who chose his spot and fired home. In the first half, United coach Biswajit Bhattacharya had an upper-hand over his counterpart.

In the second half, Pereira showed his tactical acumen. He stretched the game to flanks to create space and gave Dharamjit Singh.Bagan equalised in the 60th minute as Barreto set up the opportunity for Lalam Puian with a flick header. The latter completed the formality. Then in the 69th minute, Barreto himself scored a blinder. James Singh took a freekick from middle-third and the ball went to Barreto via Isfaq Ahmed and Odafa, and Barreto's overhead kick was too much for the rival keeper.

The lead was increased in the 75th minute. Peter Siddique scored from a Dharamjit freekick.

Bagan then had a close shave in the 79th minute as Mrinmoy Chakraborty's 25-yard strike came off the post. However, in the 88th minute,substitute Asim Das (Sr.) was tripped inside the box by Dharamjit and Das himself scored from the penalty to reduce the margin.

UNI