Team Herald
MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club thumped Santa Cruz Club Cavelossim 4-1 in a round three match of the Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium, here, on Wednesday. They led 2-0 at half time.
Dempo SC moved to the third place in the standings with six points while Cavelossim suffered their second successive defeat and have three points and are in the eight position.
Cavelossim played their hearts out but their opponents were clinical in their finishing, especially Uttam Rai who secured a hat-trick. Nickson Castanha put Demp SC ahead in the 43rd minute.
Melwin Fernandes who came on as a second half substitute pulled a goal back for Cavelossim.
The teams provided end-to-end action throughout the 90 minutes.
The Severino Fernandes coached outfit had their chances but it was their rivals who took the lead in the 34th minute through Nickson Castanha, who showed good alertness after seeing rival keeper Ram Sroop out of his position and instead of crossing the ball unleashed a fierce right-footer that found the back of the net from inside the 18-yard box.
Cavelossim regrouped and could have equalized minutes later but the U-20 striker, Floyd Fernandes, did not have the confidence to guide his close range half volley into the rival goal frame.
Just before half time, Dempo SC doubled their advantage as Beevan D’Mello sent in a defence splitting through ball to Uttam, who cleverly chipped the ball over keeper Ram Sroop.
Changing over, Cavelossim had a reason to cheer as substitute Melwin Fernandes rounded off rival keeper Tyson Caido to bulge in the empty goal off an assist by medio Rayman Fernandes.
However, Dempo SC executed their plan and went 3-1 up in the 75th minute as Uttam’s fierce shot was too hot to handle by keeper Ram Sroop. He was assisted by Beevan.
The 18-year-old talented Sikimese Uttam secured his hat-trick in the injury time off a spot-kick after Cavelossim defender Rahul Kumar brought down Aniston Fernandes inside the danger zone.
