MARGAO: A splendid hat-trick by Wilton Gomes helped Navelim Villagers Union to overcome United Club of Benaulim 4-3 and emerge champions in 17th all-Goa Our Lady of Merces 8-a-side inter-village football tournament organized by Silrim Sports Club, at church ground, Chinchinim, on Friday.
Navelim were trailing 2-1 at the lemon break.
United Club of Benaulim started the game on a whirlwind fashion with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival defence into disarray.
The opening goal came through Brandon Fernandes’ well-executed free-kick that gave little chance to the Benaulim goalkeeper Sugtesh Mandrekar.
Navelim Villagers Union pressed more men forward in an attempt to secure the equalizer.
Their efforts bore fruit when Allwyn Fernandes neutralized the lead.
United Club of Benaulim went into attacking mode and troubled the rival defence. Brandon soon secured his brace to give his team the lead.
Crossing over, Navelim’s superiority in midfield proved decisive. Wilton, the former Sporting Clube de Goa player was the hero of the day as he struck thrice in the second half.
There was late drama when Sabino Pereira pulled a goal but Navelim did enough to secure the title. Navelim Villagers Union were richer by Rs 40,000 while United Club of Benaulim had to settle for Rs 35,000.
Individual prizes were awarded to Best disciplined team Guardian Angel SC, Curchorem; Most promising player of the tournament Denzl Jhadav, Uguem’s Rising Club, Sanguem; Best losing team of the tournament Sao Jose de Areal SC; First goal of the tournament Shadab Shaikh of Sangolda Lighting; Ggoal of the tournament Wilton Gomes of Navelim; Best goalkeeper of the tournament Siddesh Morje of United Club of Nerul; Best defender Mahadev Talwar of Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda; Best midfielder of the tournament Malcolm Colaco of Sporting Club of Davorlim; Best goalkeeper of the final Sugtesh Mandrekar of United Club of Benaulim; Best defender of the final Vincy Fernandes, United Club of Benaulim; Best midfielder of the final Allister Gomes of Navelim Villagers Union; Best forward of the final Avelon Gomes of Navelim Vilagers Union; Best player of the tournament Richard Fernandes of Ambelim SC and First hat-trick of the tournament Alvito Miranda of United Boys of Palolem.
President of Goa Football Association, Elvis Gomes was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Fr Jose Antonio Da Costa, parish priest of Our Lady of Hope church, Chinchinim; special invitees Velim MLA Benjamin Silva, Fr Urbano Fernandes, chaplain of Sirlim Chapel; Agostinho D’Costa, sarpanch of VP Dramapur-Sirlim; Edwin Cardozo Cipru, zilla parishad member, Navelim and GFA executive members Anthony Pango, John Silva and Raju Banaulikar.
