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RAIA: Churchill Brothers downed Dempo Sports Club 2-0 in the Goan I-League derby match played at the Raia panchayat ground, on Wednesday.
This marked the first I-League meeting between the two decorated sides in over a decade.
Churchill Brothers led 1-0 at half-time.
Churchill Brothers started the match on an aggressive mode and dominated possession, consistently winning the ball in key areas and putting Dempo SC on the back foot. Their relentless pressure paid off in an unexpected but spectacular manner.
In the 15th minute, a seemingly routine clearance from a corner found Lalremruata at the top of the box. The defender played a grounded pass into the area, where Lalliansanga Renthlei, with his back to goal, received it. In a moment of technical brilliance, the defensive midfielder turned sharply and unleashed an angled shot that clipped the post before finding the net.
Churchill Brothers maintained their attacking momentum and never allowed Dempo SC to settle into the game.
At half-time, Dempo SC were fortunate to trail by just one goal, although a comeback seemed improbable given the pattern of play.
Churchill Brothers continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, creating multiple half-chances that could have sealed the match much earlier. One such opportunity fell to Wayde Lekay, who headed over the crossbar from a Sebastian Gutierrez corner. However, Lekay redeemed himself in the 75th minute with a decisive second goal.
Anil Rama Gaonkar’s brilliant wing play on the right resulted in a perfectly timed cross into the box. The delivery unsettled Dempo SC goalkeeper Ashish Sibi, who hesitated in his response. Lekay shook off his marker, timed his jump to perfection and powered a header into the net to double Churchill Brothers lead.
Dempo SC had a golden opportunity to salvage some pride late in the game when Amay Morajkar played a precise through ball to Serbian forward Matija Babovic. Babovic attempted a looping shot over the Churchill Brothers goalkeeper, but his effort was comfortably gathered.
Churchill Brothers weathered injury-time nerves with composure and secured the three points to top the standing table.
