VASCO: Two first-half goals from Thongkhosiem and Lalrindika Ralte for East Bengal were enough to hand Churchill Brothers FC their third successive defeat in the I-League match, at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Wednesday.
The 2,536 fans were sent home disappointed as the only Goan team in the National league failed to register their first point in the competition.
Coming from two successive defeats, Churchill Brothers showed some urgency in getting on to the score-sheet as coach Alfred Fernandes once again opted to play with his regular 4-5-1 formation with Anthony Wolfe as the lone striker.
The Benaulim coach made three changes in his side replacing Satish Singh, Clifford Miranda and Surchandra Singh with Fulganco Colaco, Richard Costa and Agnelo Colaco.
Despite their surge for the goal, the Red Machines were matched equally by brilliant East Bengal. The visitors were first to have the best chance of the match early in the first quarter when Mehtab Hossain gave a precise cut back pass for Willis Plaza, but the latter miscued his effort.
The Trinidade and Tobago striker Willi Plaza ran havoc in the hosts’ territory and almost made amends for his earlier miss when he dribbled past Rowilson and Adil Khan with ease but fumbled with his last shot and Churchill Bros keeper Priyant Singh collected the ball with ease.
Adil Khan, Rowilson and Fulganco had a busy day guarding their citadel as East Bengal’s T Haokip, Dika and Plaza constantly raided the Red Machines territory.
The Kolkata powerhouse finally broke the deadlock at the half hour mark when Poojary found T Haokip from the right and the former FC Goa striker headed the ball past the helpless keeper.
Churchill Brothers had the best chance to draw level in the 35th minute when Brendon Fernandes took a 30-yard strike which was punched by East Bengal keeper Rehenesh for an abortive corner.
East Bengal doubled the lead in the first half add-on time through Lalrindika Ralte’s Olympic goal. Ralte’s corner from the right landed directly into Churchill Bros. goal to send the handful visiting fans into ruptures, despite Ivan Bukenya making a claim for it.
Ten minutes into the second half, Churchill Bros had another chance to pull back a goal when Brendon sent a low cross from the left to Anthony Wolfe, but the Trinidad and Tobago striker ballooned over the bar. Minutes later the foreign recruit headed wide Agnelo’s corner.
Anslem had two best chances to inflate the lead at the hour mark. First – his long attempt was safely swallowed by Priyant and minutes later the foreigner’s lob shot missed the target after he found rival keeper Priyant Singh off the line.
