Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers Football Club Goa managed to secure their first win with a hard fought 1-0 margin over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional league, at Duler stadium, here, on Wednesday.
Having lost their last two matches, better performance was expected from Churchill Brothers but the Capital side did most of the attacking but failed to find the back of the net.
However, the Red Machine drew the first blood through their striker Rakesh Das in the 40th minute whom after getting hold of a loose ball outside the penalty box moved ahead and beat the onrushing Panjim keeper Preston Rego to give his side the lead.
Earlier in the match, Churchill keeper Debnath Mondal twice came to his teams rescue as he brilliantly collected a dangerous cross from Lokeshkumar and minutes later left his charge to clear the ball to safety before Chandan Gawas could control Joyson Gauncar’s ball.
On crossing ends, Panjim Footballers carried on their onslaught and came with three dangerous attacks on the rival citadel.
Keeper Debnath Mondal was in thick of action as he tipped the ball over the cross bar to deny Vallmiky Miranda and then Akash Sanadi 30-yard shots at the goal.
In the 54th minute, Panjim’s U-20 Liston Cardozo found Joyson in the heart of Churchill defence but his shot hit the defender and travelled out.
Almost ten minutes later, another golden opportunity went in vain for Capital side, when once again Liston Cardozo sent a delightful cross from the right flank to Joyson who surprisingly blasted the ball over the horizontal bar.
Keeper Debnath Mondal and stopper back Rajendra Bairola should be credited for their marvellous performance in the defense as they managed to hold to their one goal lead till the final whistle.
