Team Herald
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KALYANI: Churchill Brothers FC outclassed home side and strong contenders Inter Kashi 3-1 in the Round Five match of the I-League 2024-25 played at the Kalyani Stadium, West Bengal, on Saturday.
This was Inter Kashi’s first defeat of the season and the third consecutive victory for Churchill Brothers.
Churchill Brothers FC sent a shock wave through the Inter Kashi defence taking a 2-0 lead at half time through goals from South African striker Wayde Lekay (18th minute) and Senegalese midfielder Pape Gassama (39th minute penalty), and added one more in the 69th minute via Lamgoulen Hangshing.
In between, Inter Kashi managed to pull one back through international Sumeet Passi in the 50th minute, but that was all they could do against Churchill Brothers FC’s inspired defence.
Churchill Brothers FC’s victory brought a change in the points table as the Goa team propelled themselves to the top of the table with 10 points from five matches.
The other Goa side in the competition, the newly promoted Dempo Sports Club, also have 10 points from five matches, but they stand behind Churchill Brothers FC on goal difference. The defeat relegated Inter Kashi to third place with eight points from five matches.
Pitted against superior rivals, at least on paper, Churchill Brothers FC were expected to take things cautiously in the away outing. But contrary to it, Churchill Brothers FC began aggressively and tormented the Inter Kashi defence time and again. Lekay scored the first goal when he cashed in on a through pass to leave defenders Passi and Sarthak Golui gasping for breath and beat goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya with a perfect drive.
An infringement in the box by Inter Kashi defender Narayan Das further strengthened Churchill Brothers FC’s hands as Gassama converted the resultant spot-kick strong and clear.
As expected, Inter Kashi came calling in the second session. They were all over the Churchill Brothers FC defence in the most threatening manner and reduced the margin with Passi making no mistake from a rebound.
But it was Hangshing, who snatched the battle away from the home side. Off a combined move through the left, he rushed in from the right to bang the net with a shot that brooked no defence. A rattled Inter Kashi tried to make a comeback, but all their plans were foiled by the rival defenders.