Margao, Feb 18: A late strike by Rockson Fernandes helped MPT Sports Council to hold Salcete Football Club to a 1-1 draw in GFA’s First Division League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Friday. MPT were trailing 0-1 at half time.
Salcete made it clear right from the start that they were not going to let MPT dictate terms, building their own moves from the midfield while their rearguard was strong and did not provide their opponents any space to strike rhythm.
Salcete shot into the lead in the 8th minute when midfielder Don Fernandes received a pass from Rony Monteiro and the former unleashed a right footer which saw MPT goalkeeper Juje Siddi parrying it away and lurking Sidney Colaco pushed the ball in much to the loud cheers of Salcete’s supporters.
Spurred by the early goal, Salcete mounted pressure on the rival citadel and came close to increasing their tally but MPT’s defender Primson Fernandes thwarted Salcete striker Oilex Fernandes’ shot with a neat tackle inside the penalty area.
On the other hand, MPT who were struggling to check Salcete’s attackers had a chance in the 22nd minute but defender Shaikh Aboo’s free kick was blocked by Salcete goalkeeper Presley Mascarenhas.
Salcete had a couple of scoring chances to inflate their tally but Ashley Araujo blasted wide from hand-shaking distance after being fed by Oliex Oliveira.
MPT nearly found the equaliser in the 34th minute when Hayen Velho floated the flag kick inside Salcete’s penalty area with Zico Feranndes beating his marker and his goal bound try was halted on the goalline by Ronny Monteiro.
At the stroke of the lemon break, Salcete nearly made it 2-0 but midfielder Francis Andrade’s rasping left footer missed the target narrowly.
Crossing over, MPT went all out in search of the equaliser and nearly found success but Wilfred Gomes was the culprit as he blasted over from close range off a pass from Rockson Fernandes.
Salcete had scoring chances late in the second half but Ronny Monteiro failed to beat MPT goalkeeper Juje Siddi and later Ashley Araujo was the worst culprit as he shot wide from five yards.
MPT’s equaliser came in the 90th minute following a flag kick taken by Wilred Gomes from the left. Rockson Fernandes’ unimpressive header deflected off a Salcete defender and also eluded the goalkeeper to put his team on equal terms.
With this draw, Salcete have collected nine points from eight encounters while MPT took their tally to 12 from the same number of encounters.
“I am not happy with the refereeing. I am happy with our performance. We also missed many scoring chances and I believe in my boys and we will always play for a win,” claimed Salcete’s coach Roberto Fernandes.
At Cuncolim ground, a 5-goal blitz including a hat-trick by striker Vitorino Fernandes helped Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim thump St Rock’s Sports Club, Fatrade, Varca 9-1 in GFA’s First Division League on Friday. Santa Cruz led 5-0 at half time.
Cavelossim were a superior side and outplayed their opponents in all departments as their opponents were struggling to catch the pace of the Cavelossim side.
Midfielder Levino Fernandes rubbed salt to Fatrade’s wounds as he scored four goals including a hat-trick while Melvin Fernandes scored a consolation goal for St Rock.
With this win, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim stay at the top with 19 points from eight matches while St Rock’s Sports Club have four points from the same number of encounters.
“I am very happy with the way the boys played today,” stated Severino Fernandes, coach, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim.
