MARGAO, JAN 31
An injury time strike by striker Columban Noronha gave St Rock’s Sports Club, Fatrade their first win after they scored a narrow 1-0 win over Corps of Signals in GFA’s First Division League at Varca ground, on Monday. There was no score at half time.
Corps of Signals enjoyed a slight edge over their opponents in the opening session with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival citadel under tremendous pressure.
Corps of Signals nearly broke the deadlock in the early moments but Pankaj Gurkha muffed an open sitter with only the rival goalkeeper to beat, when he shot wide from the five yards zone.
At the other end, St Rock’s did not show urgency and seldom troubled the rival defence.
After quarter of play, there were a few attempts at the rival goal, as a result the remaining period was restricted to the midfield.
Crossing over, Corps of Signals showed better application and went all out in search of an elusive match-winner and created many scoring chances with their forwards repeatedly raiding the rival citadel but without success.
Corps of Signals nearly found success midway but Pankaj was the worst culprit as he shot wide in an open goal off a pass from Budi Bahadur.
With time running out, Corps of Signals were desperate and were in cry late in the second half but striker V Nghara spurned the easiest chance as the rival keeper came charging off.
With the match heading for a barren draw, St Rock’s made last ditch efforts and bore fruits in injury time when striker Columban Noronha picked up the ball from Melvin Fernandes and beat his marker and beat the rival keeper with a snap shot to the loud applause from the Fatrade supporters.
With this win, St Rock’s Sports Club collected four points from seven matches while Corps of Signals suffered their third defeat and have a tally of seven points from seven matches.
