MAPUSA: Nikhil Gaonkar scored a hat-trick as Ponda Footballers thrashed St Estevam Sports Club 5-1 in a GFA 3rd Division League (Ilhas zone) match at Santo Estevam ground, Cumbharjua, Wednesday.
The winners led 3-1 at half time. The home team took the lead in the very first minute as Shubham Parab went solo to score past Ponda goalkeeper Amit Toraskar much to the cheers of the St Estevam supporters.
However, Ponda regrouped and equalized five minutes later through Tushar Gawde’s powerful strike.
The Ponda outfit controlled the proceeding and took the lead at the half hour mark through Nikhil while Tushar registered his brace with a deft placement, just before the break.
Changing over, St Estevam came close to scoring but Shubham’s powerful 30-yard free-kick sailed inches over and then goalkeeper Amit denied rival striker Jude Marques from close range.
In the 74th minute, Ponda had done the damage, going 4-1 after Nikhil rounded off rival keeper Sohan Phadte with ease.
Two minutes later, Nikhil found his deserving hat-trick when he powerfully headed in off a well-measured cross from the right flank by Tushar, 5-1.
After three matches, Ponda have collected six points with two wins and a defeat while St Estevam suffered their third consecutive loss.
In another match, Batim YC got the better of Siridao SC 2-0.