TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Salcete Football Club rode on a superb header by Allwyn Dias in the 27th minute to pip Corps of Signals 1-0 in a penultimate round match of GFA First Division League at 3MTR ground, Navelim, Sunday.
Salcete started in their customary attacking fashion and held a slight edge over their opponents in the opening session with strikers Geetesh Borkar and Imamsab troubling the rival defence with raids.
Salcete nearly broke the deadlock but captain Francis Andrade failed to tap the ball in off a well measured defence splitting pass by Velton D’Souza.
At the other end, Corps started on a sedate note and once they struck rhythm they called the shots against the rival citadel and came close in taking the lead but Nim Tshering blasted wide with only Salcete goalkeeper Regan Juliao at his mercy.
Salcete nearly struck in the 18th minute but midfielder Joston Barbosa frittered away from hand shaking distance after Francis Andrade laid him on the platter.
The lone goal came in the 27th minute when Joston Barbosa floated in a flag-kick and midfielder Allwyn Dias beat the rival goalkeeper Nibon Koshy with a smart header.
Stung by the setback, Corps went all-out and nearly restored the parity but Roshan Singh shot wide from close range.
Corps exhibited better display after the break as they went all-out in search of the equalizer. Salcete had a golden chance to double their lead but Getesh Borkar was the culprit as he fumbled in front of the rival goal off a Francis Andrade through pass.
Thereafter Corps launched umpteen attacks and came close in restoring parity but Budi Bahadur’s rasping shot missed the mark narrowly. Later, LH Sangha’s flag-kick dipped but Salcete goalkeeper Reagan rose to the occasion and palmed it to safety.
Later, Sangha’s snap shot missed the mark narrowly. Corps pushed for the equalizer in the last 10 minutes but remained unsuccessful as Royce Cardozo was stubborn and rock solid at the back thwarting Corps attacks.
With this win, Salcete collected 13 points from 13 matches while Corps have 21 points from the same number of encounters.
Our Mapusa Correspondent adds — Unbeaten league leaders Laxmi Prasad Sports Club, Mapusa have sealed their crown as they edged past Curtorim Gymkahna 3-2 at Poriat ground, Calangute. Alvito (2) and Tyson scored for Laxmi Prasad, who have collected 33 points.
At Sangolda ground, Goa Police collected crucial three points as they thumped Clube Sao Miguel Taleigao 2-1. All the goals came in the second session.
Young Boys of Tonca (YBT) rallied to beat Calangute Association 3-2 at Cansaulim ground. Relegation battling YBT and Goa Police are both locked with eight points each and will have to fight hard in the final round. Only one team will be relegated to the Second Division.
