Churchill rally to overcome JCT

MARGAO, FEB 16
Churchill Brothers came from behind to demolish JCT 3-1in a 15th round match of 4th I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Wednesday. The teams were tied 1-1 at half time.
Churchill dominated the proceedings for the entire 90 minutes. However, they looked like they would have to be satisfied with a point as their strikers failed to finish off numerous moves.
JCT’s goal had a narrow shave in the 7th minute but defender Denzil Franco’s cross from the right saw JCT defender Omolaja Nurain Kareem attempting to clear the danger.  However, his try hit the crossbar and off the rebound, striker Binesh Balan shot wide much to the disbelief of Churchill’s supporters.
Churchill had a couple of excellent chances to surge ahead. Following a swift move by hardworking midfielder Zakeer Maundampara, striker Mohammed Rafi relayed it to striker Boima Karpeh who with only JCT keeper Naveen Kumar at his mercy, blasted wide from hand-shaking distance.
The Punjab side also had scoring chances. Jagpreet Singh’s free kick saw striker Saran Singh making a mess of it in front of Churchill’s goal in the 17th minute and later again Saran’s try missed the mark narrowly off a pass from Amandeep Singh.
The hosts paid dearly for their mistake as JCT found the net in the 30th minute. JCT earned a free kick just near the top of the box following a handball by defender Gourmangi Singh. Stopper back Omolaja Nurain Kareeem gave no chance to Churchill’s keeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Stung by the setback, Churchill made concerted efforts to neutralise the lead but strikers Binesh Balan and Boima Karpeh spurned easy chances. Later, midfielder Zakeer’s try hit the crossbar much in the 42nd minute.
Churchill struck the equaliser through striker Mohammed Rafi in injury time. 
Man-of-the-match Lenny Rodrigues’ cross from the right deflected off Badru Ibrahim’s leg and off  the deflection Mohammed Rafi made no mistake in punishing the JCT goalkeeper.
Crossing over, Churchill showed better application with hardworking Zakeer Mundampura spelling trouble for JCT. Churchill made it 2-1 in the 51st minute, thanks to a well executed goal from midfielder Zakeer Mundampara, who ran as Karpeh slipped past his marker and drilled a shot past JCT keeper Naveen  Kumar.
Churchill struck yet again in the 65th minute through striker Boima Karpeh. Striker Mohammed Rafi found striker Boima, who lost his composure but quickly regained it and slammed it past the rival keeper to give his team a 3-1cushion.
Earlier, JCT came close in reducing the margin but striker Jaspreet Singh’s carpet drive missed the mark narrowly.
Churchill had a chance to further increase their tally in the 78th minute but substitute Kayne Vincent’s feeble try went straight into the safe hands of JCT’s keeper.
The win propelled Churchill Brothers to take their tally to 29 from 15 matches while JCT suffered their seventh defeat and have 14 points from the same number of encounters.