Nerul : Western Railway showed strong fighting qualities as they rallied to hold ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) to a high-scoring 4-4 draw in a fast paced and exciting Elite Division match of the Mumbai District Football Association League 2016-2017, and played at the Cooperage ground.
Defending champions ONGC took control of proceedings and opened up a 3-1 first half lead. ONGC struck one more immediately after the break, but the resilient railwaymen forced their way back into the game by scoring three goals in a space of 10 minutes to share honours and two points.
ONGC took an early lead through Sukhdev Singh in the seventh minute, but five minutes later Merwin Stephen found the equaliser to put Western on level terms. However, midway through the first period ONGC hit the target twice through Satyam Sharma (23rd minute) and Enoch Annan (28th minute) to sit pretty with a 3-1 advantage.
Soon on resumption, Nitesh Monde found the back of the net in the 50th minute to further stretch ONGC’s lead (4-1). Western Railway did not give up easily and kept searching for goals. Midfielder Somi P.T. came up with two quick goals scoring in the 79th and 80th minutes to keep Western in the fight.
