MARGAO: Young Boys of Tonca (YBT) rode on a 33rd minute goal from striker Columban Noronha to edge past Curtorim Gymkhana 1-0 in their 12th round GFA First Division League match at DSYA ground, Curtorim, Thursday.
This was YBT’s maiden win in the tournament.
The Curtorim lads failed to settle down and often surrendered possessions casually. Meanwhile, YBT played with purpose and conducted well orchestrated raids.
Curtorim had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the seventh minute but striker Velson Fernandes’ feeble push went straight into the safe hands of YBT goalkeeper Parwarraj Joshi off a Clinton Niasso pass. Later, YBT goalkeeper came to his side’s rescue yet again when he blocked Velson Fernandes’ stiff shot.
The early scare served as a perfect tonic for YBT as they launched a series of attacks and could have taken the lead in the 10th minute but striker Jovisco Fernandes, who the fulcrum in his team’s attacks, outpaced rival defender John Fernandes but the former faltered at crucial moments inside the rival penalty box.
Nine minutes later, Dhillon Fernandes laid a forward pass to midfielder Pango, who without wasting time, unleashed a snap shot, which much to the disappointment of the YBT supporters was blocked by Curtorim Gymkhana goalkeeper Johnson Bhagat.
At the other end, Curtorim came close to foisting the lead in the 25th minute but YBT goalkeeper Joshi denied Clinton Niasso with fine anticipation and reflexes.
The all-important goal came in the 33rd minute when captain Cedric Furtado laid a beautiful pass to Dhillon who in turn relayed it to Columban, who showed his presence of mind to power his side ahead with a snap shot.
Curtorim had a great chance to snatch the equalizer in the 36th minute but Princeton Rebello was the worst offender as he failed to beat the rival goalkeeper off a pass by Ronnie Colaco.
At the stroke of lemon break, Curtorim nearly leveled the score but Queterio’s well executed free-kick missed the target by a few inches.
Post resumption, YBT continued to dictate terms and enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges. They nearly doubled the lead but striker Columban’s snap shot was blocked by the rival goalkeeper.
Midway in the second session, YBT nearly increased their lead when Jovisco Fernandes beat his markers and unleashed a shot which eventually went out.
Barring a couple of forays, there was nothing much to write home about Curtorim’s performance, which left the home crowd disappointed. Their hopes of qualifying for the Pro League appear to be doomed after crashing to their third defeat.
With this win, YBT have collected five points from 12 matches while Curtorim Gymkhana remain on 21 points from the same number of encounters.
At Cansualim Sports Complex, Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao thumped Salcete Football Club 6-3. Taleigao led 3-1 at half time.
Taleigao forged ahead through Anthony Levino Pereira in the seventh minute when he converted a spot kick. Spurred by the early success, Talegao raised the tempo and increased their tally when Richard Dias bulged the net in the 17th minute.
Stunned by the double blows, Salcete regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp and captain Francis Andrade slotted past the rival goalkeeper in the 26th minute.
Taleigao upped the ante with Pramod Mardolkar making it 3-1 in the 45th minute.
After the break, Salcete reduced the deficit through Getesh Borkar in the 46th minute. In the 65th minute Richard Dias struck for the second time to complete his brace. Mark Fernandes added his name on the scoresheet in the 64th minute. Joston Barbosa reduced the margin in the 75th minute. Pramod drove the final nail into the rival coffin to register his brace in the 89th minute.
