TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club scored in each session as they thumped 10-man Churchill Bros Sports Club 2-0 in an Airtel Goa Super League match at Duler Stadium, here, Wednesday.
Churchill had total control of the match, creating better chances but lacked firepower upfront. On the other hand, Dempo kept their cool and took an unlikely lead in the 25th minute through Under-20 Nickson Castanha.
Allwyn George sealed three points in style for The Golden Eagles in the second session. Churchill were reduced to 10-man in the dying minutes when Elvis Barreto received a direct red card.
Churchill and Dempo are tied on 23 points each but The Red Machines maintained their second place in the standings on better goal difference.
The teams met in the opening match of the league when India International Lenny Rodrigues’ strike earned Churchill three points. The Red Machines dictated terms early on and could have easily surged ahead but Sanjay Balmuchu miss-kicked right inside the Dempo six-yard box.
Churchill coach Mariano Dias started with Thangjam Singh and Jaison Vales upfront and the duo had their share of chances to score but Dempo custodian Laxmikant Kattimani stood rock solid under the cross bar.
At the other end, Dempo took the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play. Churchill skipper and defender Ravanan Dharmaraj was as fault as his poor clearance fell to Nickson, who finished with a deft placement past rival custodian Bilal Khan.
Dempo’s Prathamesh Maulingkar, who made a comeback from injury, lasted for only 30 minutes as he picked up another knock and had to be replaced with Debarata Roy.
Churchill tried to regroup but medio Micky Fernandes’ inside the box effort sailed inched over and then, before the break Sanjay had an open header but missed timed his jump.
Post resumption, Dempo could have doubled their lead when Nickson cleverly set up Myron in a one-to-one situation but with the keeper Bilal approaching, the striker toed the ball wide.
Churchill were trying hard and almost equalized but Jaison’s effort was denied by the upright.
At the other end, Dempo substitute Gabriel Fernandes got involved quickly and set up Allwyn in an ideal position but the latter’s effort was denied by the upright before goalkeeper Bilal got his gloves on it.
However, with five minutes to go for the final whistle Allwyn got his name on the score sheet in style, half volleying a Joy Ferrao’s cross.
Churchill’s frustration was evident as Elvis Barreto lost his cool with a dangerous challenge on Gabriel, earning him a direct red card from referee Elvis Simoes in the final minutes.
Nickson was adjudged goal of the match while Allwyn received the man-of-the-match from chief guest Lavinio Rebello, GFA vice-president (North) in the presence of Sanjiv Nagvekar, GFA executive member.
