TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: A fine hat-trick by Ian Rodrigues enabled Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol thump Youth Sports Club of Colvale 4-2 in the finals of GFA’s 3rd Division League Bardez Zone play-offs at Sangolda ground, Thursday.
The winners led 3-0 at the breather. The finalists had already guaranteed a berth in next season’s Second Division League but Arambol made sure they finish top.
Alfred Fernandes was the magician in the opening two goals as his flag-kicks mesmerised Colvale keeper Siddharth Simepurukar in the 15th and 18th minutes. First, Siddharth could have easily punched the ball but instead let it go in as Arambol’s Jason Fernandes’ header brushed the legs of defender Drynan Pereira and entered the goal.
Three minutes later, Siddharth committed another goalkeeping error as he fumbled in his collection, letting Ian to bulge the nylons from close.
At this stage, Arambol were in total control as they enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession and Ian made it 3-0 in the 27th minute when he tackled a couple of rival defenders and unleashed a hot-blooded strike that found the top corner, thanks to an assist from Domnic Alphonso.
Colvale were on the back-foot in the first session. Their only effort came before the break when Agnelo D’Souza’s long ranger sailed inches over.
Changing over, Colvale started in the right earnest but they were out of steam when Ian registered his hat-trick off an assist by Amit Fernandes.
However, the Colvale supporters had something to cheer about in the 82nd minute when skipper Drynan headed in off a Pranay Salgaonkar cross to make it 4-1. Four minutes later, Colvale substitute Vichal Vazgankar provided a beautiful long ball to his teammate Floyd Fernandes, who cleverly headed over onrushing rival custodian Kewan D’Souza and then slotted home in the empty goal.
Colvale were reduced to 10-man in the dying minutes when Floyd received a straight red card from referee Parmanand Mandrekar for dangerous play.
In the Ilhas Zone matches, FC Neura defeated St Mathew’s SC, Azossim 3-1 while Sateri SC demolished USC Mardol 6-1.
