Churchill Brothers outclass Corps of Signals; Salgaocar FC edge past Vasco SC

NAVELIM: Vinil Poojary scored a treble as Churchill Brothers FC ran riot over Corps of Signals in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League match, at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Saturday.

Willis Plaza and Lalkhawpuimawia also got on the score sheet for the winners.

Churchill Brothers FC had a dream start at Navelim as they were up by two goals within six minutes of the start.

Hardly had the spectators taken their seats, Churchill Brothers managed to take the lead when in the third minute, Wendell Coelho played an accurate cross in the box for Willis Plaza who was lurking in the box, and the foreigner scored his tenth goal of the season.

Corps of Signals struggled to cope up with Churchill Brothers pressure and soon gave away a penalty which Lalkhawpuimawia coolly converted to make it 2-0.

There were constant attacks on Signals wherein their keeper Vikramjit Singh came up with stunning saves to deny Plaza and co before being subbed off after picking up an injury. Binu replaced the injured keeper.

Signals had a rare chance when Nim Bhutia intercepted a back pass from Jovel Martins but the former couldn’t do much as the Red Machines keeper narrowed down the gap and made it difficult for Bhutia to direct his effort in the goal.

However, they had yet another chance but Nokul Singh’s shot from inside the box was timely blocked by Vanlal D.

Churchill Brothers almost scored their third goal when Plaza was set on goal by Quan Gomes and the foreigner cut past a rival defender before trying his luck with a left footer shot, which hit the cross bar and came back in the play and the rebound was met by Lalkhawpuimawia whose effort was saved by the substitute keeper Binu.

In the added time, Churchill Brothers had another chance but Plaza’s effort was pushed for a corner. From the resultant corner kick, Lalkhawpuimawia’s header sailed over the bar.

Crossing over, Churchill Brothers continued from where they had left from and scored soon after the restart through their second half substitute Vinil Poojary. Plaza in getting the ball in the midfield played Vinil on through on goal, and the latter’s effort brushed off Signals keeper Binu Purushothaman and hit the post before entering the net to make it 3-0.

Churchill Brothers were gifted yet another penalty when Lalkhawpuimawia was brought down in the box by Shuklab Bordoloi and the referee awarded a penalty despite the ball rolled in the goal. 

However, off the resultant penalty, Vinil scored his scorn of the day.

Vinil Poojary would have scored fastest hat-trick when he was set on goal by Plaza and the former did everything right before taking a placement shot, however his attempt narrowly missed the mark.

Finally, Vinil bagged his treble and it was once again the initial work of Plaza who broke the rival defence with a defence splitting pass to Vinil, and the lad graced the assist by scoring past rival custodian Binu, who couldn’t do much in the game. 

Vinil was in thick of action and his introduction in the game plan gave more attacking teeth to the Red Machines. He had an opportunity to set up another goal for Churchill Brothers but with Plaza and Lalkhawpuimawia in the box, Vinil tried his luck from an acute angle.

Signals were nowhere in the game on Saturday as they were totally overpowered by Churchill Brothers FC.

In another match at Nagoa ground, Salgaocar Football Club registered a 3-2 win over Vasco SC. Saeesh Halarnkar scored a brace while Selwyn Miranda added another.

For Vasco Sports Club, Suraj Mondal and Sanwil D’Costa netted a goal each.