MAPUSA: Penha De Franca scored a massive 7-3 win over Goa Velha Sports Club in the GFA’s First Division League match played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.
At halftime Penha de Franca led by a 5-1 margin.
Penha de Franca opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Josley Dias sent a pinpoint cross to Anil Gaonkar who on squeezing his way past the defenders, placed the ball into the far corner of the rival nets to make it 1-0.
Goa Velha managed to level terms in the 28th minute when Nestor Dias made a solo run into the Penha de Franca camp and drilled home the ball past the advancing keeper making it 1-1.
Penha de Franca once again came attacking in the 32nd minute and this time, Anil Gaonkar’s shot hit the Goa Velha crossbar and rebounded towards Naved Almeida who managed to score on second attempt.
Hardly had the celebrations ended Penha further inflated the lead when Leander D’Cunha’s blistering right footer found no answer from the rival keeper, 3-1.
After some midfield play Leander netted in his brace when he positioned himself perfectly to guide home Anil Gaonkar’s pass, 4-1.
In the injury minutes of the first session Leander managed to complete his hat-trick when Goa Velha keeper failed to make a clean collection off Anil Gaonkar’s shot, where Leander who was lurking nearby guided the ball home, 5-1.
Changing over, the goal-rush continued, where in the 57th minute of play Goa Velha were awarded a spot kick after the referee found Sidhart Shirodkar guilty of dangerously tackling Nestor Dias inside the penalty box. Joseph Rodrigues who stepped forward to take the kick made no mistake in scoring, 2-5.
Goa Velha managed to further reduce the margin in the 79th minute of play when substitute Lynson Vaz gave finishing touches to Jayganesh Goltekar’s spadework, 3-5.
When it looked like Goa Velha could claw their way back into the match Penha de Franca made it 6-3 when Sawwil D’Costa unleashed a powerful 35-yard freekick which crashed into the Goa Velha nylons.
In the injury moments of the match Leander netted in his 4th goal of the match through a long range effort taking the tally to 7-3.
