MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers Sports Club beat Panjim Footballers by a 1-0 deficit in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played under the floodlights at Duler Stadium, here on Monday.
The three points helped the Red Machines to climb one place from the bottom of the table to 11th place with 16 points from 14 matches, while, Panjim have 18 points from 20 matches and are still not safe from relegation.
Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes made three changes to his side which lost to Goan FC in the last match as Israil Gurung, Pankaj Sona and Arvind Silva made a comeback in the starting XI, whereas Panjim who had stunned Guardian Angel SC with 4-0 win made one change as their coach Savio Vaz brought in Devendra Pednekar in the playing XI.
After some attacking play from both the sides in the first 15 minutes, Churchill were successful to break the deadlock in the 18th minute through Trinidadian striker Willis Plaza but before finding the net the forward committed a foul on Panjim defender Clive Miranda as assistant referee Raja Pir disallowed the same for his offence.
Panjim came up with a swift attack from the right side where defender Devendra made a darting run on the wing and found Snedden Rodrigues but the forward saw his goal-bound header from close nicely fisted over the crossbar by Churchill custodian Ricardo Cardozo.
A few minutes later, another chance went in vain for the Capital city side when Egyptian medio Fady Riad found Congo Alphonse Shako in the box but the winger’s shot saw the side netting.
Churchill once again tried to control the match in the closing stage of the first session and almost scored the opener in the added time when Pankaj headed the goal off Israil’s perfect corner but Panjim defender Devendra rescued his side with a goal-line clearance.
After failing to break the deadlock until the hour mark, Churchill gaffer Alfred brought in James Fernandes to sharpen the team in attack and the fresh-leg winger made the difference in the match with his first touch when he smartly headed in Alber Gonsalves’ fine cross to take Churchill into the lead in the 65th minute.
Panjim had a glorious chance to level the terms in the 83rd minute when substitute Sachidanand Satelkar cut past Churchill keeper Ricardo in one-on-one and was about to send the ball into the empty goal but Churchill defender Suraj Singh made a superb clearance to rescue his side.
