Team Herald
BENAULIM: St. Anthony SC, Assolda registered a hard fought 2-1 victory over Navelim Villagers Union to enter the quarter-finals of the 11th Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup soccer tournament organised by United Club Benaulim, at St. John The Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim.
The match was evenly balanced in the first session with both the teams missing gilt edge chances.
After the resumption, Assolda were more disciplined bringing up attacks from the deep through Moises D’Sa and Cruz Gomes. Assolda finally broke the deadlock when winger Phezer Gomes sent in a teasing cross where Navelin goalkeeper Selvin Gomes and defender Brandon Gomes clashed in an attempt to clear allowing rival striker Sunny Fernandes to slam in the loose ball into the nylon in the 46th minute.
Assolda doubled their lead ten minutes later when striker Benson Fernandes again captilised on some sloppy defending from Navelim defence to tap the ball in.
Navelim were demoralised but managed to reduce the margin a minute before the close when striker Clinton Niasso headed in a Darren Rexto cross.
