Mapusa: Sreekuttan’s hattrick secured Kerala Blasters a 5-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at Duler on Thursday.

Sreekuttan opened the scoring for Kerala Blasters and secured his brace later followed by a hattrick, while Muhammed Nisham’s half-volley and Sukham Meitei finesse were the absolute stunners throughout the final whistle.

Panjim Footballers faced a setback when their substitute goalkeeper, Pratik Kankonkar, was sent off leaving them at a numerical and goalkeeping disadvantage, followed by another two straight red cards for either side for a physical altercation between them.

Kerala Blasters found an early breakthrough as Sreekuttan smashed one in from Thingujam Singh’s through ball giving them the lead.

In the 27th minute Kerala Blasters doubled their lead through Muhammed Nisham who fired one in on a half-volley.

Kerala Blasters continued their scoring spree as Ebindas whipped a pass into the box and Sreekuttan slotted it home to secure his brace.

Kerala’s Ebindas once again with an assist to Sukham Meitei who whipped a shot from the top of the box leaving the Panjim Keeper stunned to give his side a four-goal advantage before the break.

Kerala Blasters continued the slaughter in the second half through Sreekuttan who secured his hattrick from a Rehan Rajeev pass. Minutes later, Rehan Rajeev rattled the crossbar as he whipped a shot from the edge of the box.

Panjim Footballers almost found the back of the net through Ajay Raj’s header but were denied by the crossbar. However, their troubles further escalated when their substitute goalkeeper, Pratik Kankonkar, received a red card for a one-on-one tackle on the opposing forward.

In stoppage time, tensions rose further as Panjim’s Mackenzie Figueiredo and Kerala’s Rehan Rajeev were both handed straight red cards following a physical altercation between them. At fulltime the score was 5-0 in favor of Kerala Blasters.