MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers came from a goal down to hold Panjim Footballers by 1-1 margin in the CAM Goa Professional League played at Duler stadium, here, on Tuesday.
For Panjim Footballers colts Doyal Alves scored while Nongpmeikapam Meitei levelled terms for Churchill Brothers.
Churchill Brothers with three new signings from I-League Schubert Pereira, Meldon D’Silva and Chaitan Komarpant’s time and again attacked the rival citadel in the first 30 minutes of the first session.
Striker Aaron Baretto’s two goal bound efforts were collected by Panjim’s keeper Preston Rego.
In the 24th minute, Schubert Pereira set up Chaitan Komarpant who fumbled in connecting the cross from inside the penalty box.
Panjim Footballers had their first good look at the rival goal which materialized into a goal. Striker Doyal Alves snatched the ball from Churchill’s defender Meldon D’Silva covered some ground and latched a right footer which crashed into the back of the nylons to give his side the lead.
Stung by the reverse Red Machine exterted tremendous pressure and managed to level terms in the 44th minute. A well taken corner by George DSouza saw Churchill’s defender Nongpmeikapam Meitei leap high above Panjim’s defense and nod the ball into the goal to make it 1-1.
On crossing ends, Red Machine substitute Bradley Carvalho found Trijoy Dias inside the 18-yard box but the latter’s strike went just past the goal post.
At the other end, in the 56th minute, Churchill Brothers were lucky to escape from being penalized off a penalty after defender Nongpmeikapam Meitei had brought down Panjim’s Doyal Alves inside the penalty box.
Five minutes before the end of the regulation time, a long ball from skipper George D’Souza was controlled by Bradley Carvalho who cut past two Panjim defenders and drilled a grounder which was brilliantly collected by keeper Shubhajit Bhattacharjee.
Capital side had an opportunity to return home with a win but Churchill keeper Subhajit managed to sway the ball over the cross bar off a rasping shot by substitute Alvito Dias.
Panjim Footballers-Dhiraj Chouhan received the man of the match award from Michael Gonsalves- GFA’s Executive Committee member.
