Dempo down Chirag, stay on top

Dempo…3     Chirag…1

MARGAO, APRIL 16
Dempo Sports Club came from behind to humble Chirag United 3-1 and maintain their top spot in the 21st round ONGC I-League football championship at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.
For Dempo, goals came through Roberto Mendes Silva in the 40th minute, man-of-the match Ranty Martins in the 52nd and Joaquim Abranches in the 85th. Chirag’s goal came through Josimar in the 16th minute.
With this win, Dempo increased their points tally to 41 from 21 outings and remained at the top while Chirag remained on 31 from an equal number of outings.
Chirag drew first blood when Josimar headed in a Gouranga Biswas cross from the left in the 16th minute. Edmilson could have added another one but he failed to convert from close range.
Dempo  nearly  reacted to the wake up call but striker Joaquim Abranches’  try was thwarted by Chirag goalkeeper Somnath Khara with a neat collection off a pass from Climax Lawrence.
Dempo managed to restore parity in the 37th minute when midfielder Roberto blasted home after receiving  a through pass from Ranty.
Ranty could have got Dempo ahead but his try off a Climax pass, bounced off the rival goalkeeper’s hands and deflected from the horizontal. Later, Roberto’s header hit the post off a flag kick taken by Anthony Pereira.
In the 52nd minute, Ranty put Dempo in the lead after receiving a pass from Roberto, Ranty sent his rival markers on the wrong foot and tapped in with style.
Dempo were unlucky when striker Ranty’s left footer hit the post.
In the 84th minute, striker Joaquim Abranches rounded off the tally when striker Ranty’s rasping drive hit the left post and the ball rebounded into play.  Lurking Joaquim pounced on the deflection sending the ball into the far corner of the net.