TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Peddem Bomm Sports Club, Anjuna put up a spirited performance to edge past St Anthony’s Sports Club, Marna, Siolim 7-5 via the tie-breaker to move into the next round of GFA’s 3rd Division League Bardez zone play-offs, at Sangolda ground, here, Monday.
The teams were locked 2-2 at full time. The teams started attackingly but it was St Anthony, who surprised their opponents with two quick goals in the 15th and 17th minute.
Raymond D’Souza was a livewire for St Anthony on the right flank as he sent a dangerous cross to striker Vipul Pednekar, who set up his striking partner and skipper Ryan D’Souza in an ideal position. Ryan calmly slotted past rival keeper Denny D’Souza for the opener.
Two minutes later, Raymond provided a similar cross to Claudio Rodrigues, who released the ball to Vipul, making it 2-0 from close range.
St Anthony were in command but soon lost concentration after their centre-back and captain Dylan Noronha had to be substituted due to injury.
In the meantime, Peddem Bomm regrouped and exploited the unorganized rival defence. Their frontman Kalpesh Gadekar pulled one back in the 35th minute after cleverly chipping a Abhijit Salgaonkar’s long ball over onrushing keeper Kalpesh Vaigankar 2-1.
Just like their rivals, Peddem Bomm scored their second goal two minutes later from the first one. It was Kalpesh yet again, registering his brace with a deft placement off an assist by medio Rupesh Kolkar to restore parity.
Post resumption, Peddem Bomm dictated terms and could have inflated their lead but Jerome Pegado missed two glorious chances while Kalpesh’s powerful header kissed the horizontal bar in the dying minutes.
However, Peddem Bomm kept their cool in the tie-breaker and were deserving winners. Abhijit Salgaonkar, Sadguru Tartankar, Uday Gadekar, Anup Gadekar and Kalpesh Gadekar scored for Peddem Bomm. Ryan D’Souza, Alton D’Souza and Francis Fernandes were on target for St Anthony while Claudio Rodrigues’ effort was blocked by Peddem Bomm goalkeeper Denny D’Souza.
Peddem Bomm will now take on Candolim Sports Club in the second round on Friday.
