MAPUSA: Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim made Sporting Clube de Goa weep as they rallied to get the better of the Panjim outfit 3-2, in GFA’s Goa Professional League, round five match, at Duler Stadium, here, Thursday. Sporting Clube led 2-1 at half time.
All was looking good for The Flaming Oranje after taking a two goal cushion through Beevan D’Mello and Victorino Fernandes but their opponents put up a brave performance as James Fernades reduced the margin before the break and then secured his brace after changing ends.
The teams were heading for a draw but Cavelossim defender Bonny changed that as he made a sensational run down the right flank, dribbling past a couple of Sporting Clube defenders and finishing clinically for the match-winner in the 90th minute.
It was one of Cavelossim head coach, Severino Fernandes’ sweetest victory over his former employers where he coached the Youth team last season. Cavelossim cement their top position in the standings with 12 points while the defending champions, Sporting Clube find themselves in the seventh spot with five points.
Beevan sounded an early alarm with a rasping drive and soon, in the ninth minute put Sporting Clube ahead as he beautifully headed in off a perfect cross from the left flank by Mauvin Borges.
Cavelossim quickly reorganized and James thought he had equalized off a header but the striker was flagged off-side.
At the other end, a long ball by Clan Martins fell in front of Victorian, who controlled it equally well and unleashed a powerful half volley that rolled past rival custodian, 2-0.
Even with two goals down, Cavelossim showed good maturity. They controlled the proceedings and finally pulled a goal back before the half hour mark as James headed in off a Marcus Fernandes cross.
Post resumption, the young Cavelossim lads were all over the rival defence which panicked time and again.
In the 55th minute the moment arrived for under-20 James to secure his brace. Bonny moved dangerously down the left flank and sent in a low cross to James, who intelligently sneaked in the rival defence and finished with the outside of his right-foot, 2-2.
Sporting Clube introduced Australian-Liberian Boima Karpeh in the attack which put some pressure on Cavelossim. The teams were heading for a point but not Bonny, who scored the match-winner in style, much to the delight of the supporters.
