TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Churchill Bros fought hard to hold Sesa Football Academy in a goalless draw in a GFA Taca Goa under-20 football match at Duler Stadium, here, Monday. There was no score at half time.
Sesa fielded Olivin Cardozo and Mauvin Borges upfront while Hasten D’ Costa partnered Romario Fernandes in the striking role for Churchill.
Sesa played good short passes and built dangerous moves in the flanks through Estevan Mendes and Jason Vaz, who kept the rival defenders on their toes.
Churchill were put into the defensive, finding it difficult to settle down. They also lost the ball rather easily in the midfield.
Sesa dominated the first session but were unlucky as they were denied by the horizontal twice. They came close to scoring in the 15th minute but Ganesh Thakur’s out of the box volley was blocked by Churchill goalkeeper Bilal Khan.
Subsequently, Sesa’s George D’ Souza sent in a well-measured floater to Olivin but the latter’s effort went inches wide.
In the 35th minute, Ganesh’s attempted cross hit the crosspiece and ten minutes later, Estevan’s powerful long ranger was denied by the crossbar after beating goalkeeper Bilal as Churchill survived the onslaught.
Changing over, Sesa continued their dominance but Jason and George could not convert in front of the rival goal.
At the other end, Churchill’s best chance to score came in the 60th minute when substitute Sclachie Cardozo set up Alesh Sawant inside the box but the latter’s effort was tipped over by Sesa goalkeeper Faiyaz Shaikh.
Five minutes later, Ganesh was unlucky yet again when his saw his rasping shot hit the upright as Sesa tried hard to break the deadlock.
In the final quarter, Churchill defenders Steve Fernandes, Mayur Shelar, Elvis Barreto and Menino Hilario worked tirelessly to restrain the rival attackers.
Referee Nilesh Vaigankar cautioned Churchill’s Hasten, Steve and Jovisco for rough play.
At Sangolda ground, Dempo relied on Myron Fernandes’ 43rd minute strike to register a solitary goal victory over Vasco Sports Club.
Margao Sports Club grounded Goa Velha Sports Club 2-0 at Dr Remigio Pinto ground, Taleigao in another match. Margao led 1-0 at the breather.
Margao enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession and broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute after Simon Noronha converted a penalty.
After resumption, Goa Velha tried hard to get back into the game but their forwards could not convert.
With four minutes to go for the normal time, Stanley Habali doubled Margao’s lead with a deft placement.
Salgaocar Football Club hammered St Cruz Club of Cavelossim 5-2 at Tilak Stadium, Vasco.
