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MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers FC Goa scored a thrilling 3-2 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club in the Goa Professional League played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Friday.
Churchill Brothers move to nine points from seven matches while Guardian Angel stay on 5 points from six matches.
Red Machine were stunned with an early 5th minute goal after their player U20 Kidron Fernandes handled the ball off Basanta’s strike, prompting referee Mario Pereira to point to the spot. Gilbert Oliveira stepped forward and scored, 1-0.
Minutes later Arif Pathan failed to connect the ball on target off a diagonal pass from Beneston Barretto.
Red Machine got their acts together and came twice close in levelling terms. Angel’s keeper Ram Saroop collected on the second attempt off a hot blooded shot from medio Myron Mendes and then in the 25th minute Trijoy Dias darted inside the penalty box from the left flank and sent a placement only to find keeper Ram Saroop push the ball for a corner.
From the resultant corner Yagya Kapoor sent the ball at the far post to Afdal who cut passed to Trijoy Dias who tapped it for the equaliser, 1-1.
Churchill Brothers continued to hold the upper hand on crossing ends. U20 Jobern Cardozo shot wide from outside the box. However, in the 53rd minute, they took the lead. Unmarked Trijoy Dias collected a pass from Afdal and drilled a power packed right footer which was blocked by Angel’s keeper Ram Saroop but unfortunately hit defender William Niasso for a self goal.
It did not take long for Angel’s to level terms when in the 58th minute Basanta Singh strike deflected off Bersal Viegas and the ball rolled to Beneston Barretto who slammed the ball into the goal, 2-2.
In the next minute Trijoy made haste to finish Velito Cruz through pass.
After minutes of midfield tussle, in the 79th minute Angel’s missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Basanta was a bit late to connect Gilbert Oliveira’s free-kick.
However at the other end Red Machine took the lead in the 83rd minute when Trijoy found Afdal just inside the 6-yard box but the latter faltered and the ball came to Clinton Niasso who tapped it home, 3-2.
