MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers FC managed to edge past Calangute Association SC 2-1 in a GFA’s Super League Football match at Duler stadium, here on Monday. There was no score at the break.
All goals came in the second session with Jobern Cardozo and Edward Souza scoring for Churchill Brots while Saeesh Halarnkar pulled a goal back for Calangute Association.
Calangute custodian Presley Mascarenhas, who had to leave the field with an injury in the last match against Sporting Clube de Goa, was back in the thick of action and he effectedt two diving saves, pushing the ball for a corner, in the process denying Churchill’s Malsawmdawngkima and Lawren Fernandes from scoring.
The youngsters of both teams excelled with Under-20 Jovito Fernandes’, Under-20 Nigel Silveira’s and Pratesh Shirodkar’s goal bound strikes being blocked by the defenders
The best chance for Calangute to forge ahead came in the 38th minute when Jovito Fernandes set up Pratesh Shirodkar inside the penalty box but Churchill goalkeeper Eknath Rathod thwarted the striker in a one-on-one situation.
Soon after the start of the second session, Calangute’s Pratesh Shirodkar saw his header being collected by goalkeeper Eknath while at the other end a fierce left footer by Trijoy Dias sailed skywards.
Calangute’s Moses D’Sa lost a glorious chance to put his team ahead in the 53rd minute when he beat the off-side trap, darted inside the penalty box, beat onrushing goalkeeper Eknath but saw his placement at the goal being cleared by Churchill’s stopper-back Under-20 Aniket Kerkar to safety.
In the very next minute, the Red Machines took the lead as unmarked Jobern Cardozo headed the ball into the far corner of the goal past a defender and goalkeeper Presley.
Churchill Bros almost doubled their lead in the 62nd minute but goalkeeper Presley flung to his left to push the ball for a corner off Hayden Fernandes[ 25-yard free kick.
As the match progressed Churchill Bros’ Jobern Cardozo strike was blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Presley.
In the 90th minute, another powerful strike by Gautam Dias was blocked by goalkeeper Presley with a diving save but the ball rolled to overlapping substitute Edward Souza who slammed the ball into the goal.
Calangute reduced the margin as Saeesh Halarnkar scored from the penalty spot.
Churchill Brothers’ Jobern Cardozo received the man-of-the match award from Omkar Vaingankar.
