Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers Sports Club were clinical as they registered a comfortable 7-1 victory over Goa Velha Sports Club in the inaugural match of the Police Cup, at Duler stadium, here, on Saturday. They led 3-1 at half time.
Churchill Brothers had many new young faces in their squad but The Red Machines from Varca combined well as a unit and took the lead in the seventh minute.
Nicholas Fernandes moved swiftly in the midfield and passed the ball to Samson Fernandes, who set up Seriton Fernandes. The right-winger did not waste time and finished with a neat placement past Goa Velha SC custodian Agnelo Silva.
From then onwards, Goa Velha defended in numbers but it did not help as their rivals inflated their tally in the 12th minute when Seriton sent in a low cross in the six-yard box which was hammered in by Nicholas.
Goa Velha coach tried to change tactics as he brought in Ezekiel Vaz in place of right winger Francis Pires. They had a golden opportunity to score before the half-hour mark after Churchill Brothers defender Kamaldeep Singh lost his footing. Goa Velha striker Jesroy Fernandes took the advantage but his powerful strike was fisted away to safety by Churchill Brothers keeper Aliston Fernandes.
Subsequently, Goa Velha centre-back Anthony Fernandes’ rasping free-kick from his own half was tipped over by keeper Aliston.
However, at the other end, Churchill Brothers were celebrating once again as Samson made it 3-0 off an assist by Nicholas.
Just before the lemon break, Goa Velha reduced the margin as Suresh Thapa headed in a perfect cross from Jesroy.
Churchill Brothers continued their goal scoring form in the second half as Nicholas secured his brace in the 54th minute as he gave finishing touches to a pass from Elvis Barretto.
In the very next minute, Samson secured his second goal of the evening as he received a through ball from medio Richard Costa and chipped over the Goa Velha’s custodian.
In the 76th minute, Nicholas registered his hat-trick with a scorching long ranger that took the rival custodian by surprise. There was no stopping talented Nicholas as he scored his fourth goal in the 83rd minute.
Earlier, chief guest DGP T.N. Mohan and guest of honours DIGP Sunil Garg, DIGP V. Rganath and DIGP K.K. Vyas were introduced to the teams.
