Welson, James help Maina SC clinch title

PANJIM: Maina Sports Club, Maina lifted the Lourdes Festival Cup overpowering Navelim Sporting Club 2-1 in the final of 22nd All-Goa inter-village Lourdes festival soccer organized by United Club of Utorda in memory of late Antonio Viterio Antao and late Wency Pereira at SAG ground, Utorda, on Sunday.

The evenly contested match started on a fast pace with the teams dishing out good football skills. Maina SC forged ahead in the 5th minute of the play through the boots of Welson Fernandes. He chested a through pass and fired home, much to the delight of full packed festive crowd at the stands. 

In the 20h minute, Akshay Shirodkar of Navelim Sporting displayed skills and headed home from a cross shot by Clinton Nicasso for the equaliser. 

The score at lemon break was 1-1.

In the second session, James Fernandes found the net for Maina SC, which proved to be the match winner.

Navelim tried hard for an equaliser and in the 44th minute Chrisley Costa had an opportunity to equalise but shot wide with only Maina keeper at his mercy.

Navelim continued to put pressure and in the last minute try Delric Gomes’ header sailed inches over the cross bar, have to their dismay. 

Maina Sports Club pocketed cash prize Rs 40,000 and a trophy while runners-up Navelim Sporting Rs 30,000 and a trophy 

Individual prizes, first scorer of the final Welson Fernandes (Maina SC), Best forward Avlon Gomes (Navelim Sporting), Best defender Bruno Fernandes (Maina SC).

The match officials were Raja Pir, Mario Pereira and Mackenzyl Silveira.

Minister for Rural development Mickky Pacheco was the chief guest and while speaking on the occasion lauded the club for conducting sports activities and appealed to the people to participate in the development of the village. 

Chairman of South Goa Zilla Parishad Nelly Rodrigues highlighted the role played by the members late A.V Antao and late Wency Pereira and gave away the prizes in presence of guests of honour Brigitte Barretto, Stanley Pereira, and members Remedios Monterio, Jhonny Gomes, Tony Fernandes, Jaime Carvalho, Ana Pacheco, Liberata Fernandes and Rocky Noronha.

Earlier, President Agnel Pereira welcomed while Anthony Pereira compered. 

Sport secretaries Francis Moraes, Remedious Monterio were the project coordinators.  Trindade Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.