VASCO:   Substitute Karan Sawhney scored a 92nd minute winner to give Mumbai FC 2-1 win over Churchill Brothers FC at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Sunday.

Just as it seemed that Churchill Brothers would register their first point of the season, Karan striked with a low grounder making amends to his earlier penalty miss. The substitute on collecting a pass from Thoi Singh, rounded off Churchill Bros defender, and this time around, Priyant couldn’t stop Karan’s grounder.

The visitors came from behind to register their second win, after Victorino earlier cancelled out Brendon Fernandes’ lead.

With the likes of experienced –Steven Dias, Thoi Singh, Siam Haghal in their ranks visitors –Mumbai FC were expected to run havoc in the still settling Churchill Bros side, however, the Red Machines took a surprise lead through Brendon Fernandes direct free-kick in the fourth minute.

Churchill Bros Keenan Almeida’s long aerial pass saw Clifford being fouled by Pratik Prabhakar, which sent the latter into the books for harsh tackle. And the resultant Brendon Fernandes’ free-kick took a slight deflection from the wall, which was enough to beat the Mumbai keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

Churchill Bros opted to play a 4-5-1 formation with Anthony Wolfe acting as the lone striker supported by experienced Clifford Miranda on the left with Brendon Fernandes, Kingslee Fernandes and Seriton Fernandes marshalling the midfield, however the Red Machines just couldn’t find the right flair with their midfield totally outplayed by quick and experienced side.

Being a goal down, the visitors dominated the rest half of the play with Saim, Shallum and Thoi Singh – coming close to scoring. Saim’s long-range effort hit the cross bar before Shallum Pires’ header hit straight to the keeper in the opening quarter of the match.

Thoi Singh had two glorious chances in the second quarter of the match but the striker failed to guide his header with the keeper at his mercy off Saim’s cross and then failed to keep his composure in the 23rd minute when one-on-one with the keeper.

The hosts struggled to keep up with the visitors pace and were constantly attacked time and again. 

Finally at the half-hour mark, Mumbai FC equalised capitalising on a defensive Churchill Bros goof-up. 

A communication mix between Churchill Bros keeper Priyant Kumar and defender Rowilson Rodrigues saw Victorino slot home into the empty nets to draw level.

Both teams had the chances to shoot into the lead just before the breather while Clifford became the second player to go down in referee’s books. Churchill Bros Kinglsee played a beautiful aerial lob pass to Seriton, who made a fine run down the right flank, but the former Sporting Clube de Goa lad shot straight at the keeper.

At the other end, Sami’s affair with the post continued, as the midfielder’s second effort at the goal hit the cross bar and went out of the play. 

Despite 2,226 fans at the stadium, the stadium lit to life in the second half as the home team displayed much better performance as their new signing Fulganco Cardozo, Quan Gomes and Richard Costa watched their team play from the stands. The trio was unavailable to play as the registrations were not completed.

Mumbai FC’s Laxmikanth Kattimani brought in two smart saves when he first blocked Clifford’s effort off Brendon’s corner and then luckily denied Rowilson’s header for his second save in five minute.

Churchill Bros coach Alfred Fernandes introduced Agnelo de Souza replacing Clifford which brought in extra momentum and pace in the Churchill Bros midfield that saw them keep a check on Mumbai FC.

There was real goal scoring attempts till the penalty save by Priyant Kumar Singh in the 79th minute. 

Churchill Bros defender Adil Khan brought down Hitesh Sharma in the danger zone and referee Rahul K Gupta made no hesitation to point to the dreaded spot. The keeper Priyant easily saved substitute Karan Sawhney poorly taken penalty kick.

There was plenty of drama left as Karan made amends to his earlier penalty miss and scored the 92nd minute match winner to give his team the second win in a row.