GOA PRO LEAGUE
Churchill Brothers SC hold Vasco SC
PANJIM: Churchill Brothers held Vasco Sports Club to a 1-1 draw in the
Goa Professional League match played at Rosary ground, Navelim, on
Wednesday.
Beneston Barretto gave Vasco Sports Club the lead in the 48th minute but
Gilbert Oliveira converted from the spot for the Red Machines to make it
all square in the 54th minute. Vasco’s Penn Orji was sent off late in
the game.
The two foreign acquisitions Henry Ezeh and Penn Orji changed the whole
mood in the Vasco SC camp as they put up an impressive performance in
the first half they caught the Red Machines by surprise.
Port Towners maintained better ball possession and enjoyed better
passing as compared to Churchill Brothers SC.
Despite both teams failing to get on the score sheet in the first half,
Vasco SC had numerous chances to open their account as Henry Ezeh missed
a glorious chance when he was straight at goal only with the rival
keeper, but the strikers shot was brilliantly blocked by the Red
Machines keeper Sanju Thapa but yet the ball was rolling into the goal,
but an alert Suraj cleared the ball off the line for Red Machines.
Earlier, Penn Orji’s free-kick from outside the penalty area narrowly
missed the mark.
In the second half, Churchill Brothers were the better side as the team
came with renewed ideas and matched their opponents. However, they were
dealt with an early blow when Beneston Barretto tapped in cross to give
Vasco SC a much deserved lead.
But the lead only sustained for few minutes as Churchill Brothers
responded quickly with the leveller.
Clencio Pinto on receiving the ball dribbled past one Vasco SC defender
and upon entering the goal area took the shot at goal which brushed the
defenders arm and referee made no hesitation to point towards the spot.
Gilbert stepped over and coolly converted to draw level.
More than the goals, the match saw more of cards as both the teams as
Churchill Brothers Cavin Soares, Suraj, William Niasso and Anthony Wolfe
saw yellow while Vasco SC’s Shubham Malwankar and Henry Ezeh also went
into the referee’s books. Vasco’s Penn Orji was sent off in the 86th
minute for his second yellow for a rash tackle on Churchill Brothers
player.
Churchill Brothers SC had a chance to kill the game when Clencio Pinto
ran down the left flank and played a cross in the box for Uttam, but the
latter hit straight into the keepers arm.
FIXTURES
GFA SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE (BARDEZ): Assonora United Football Club vs
Sinquerim Sports Club, Sirsaim ground, 3.45.pm; St. Anthony SC, Marna vs
Saligao SC, Duler Stadium, Mapusa, 3.45.pm.
GFA U-14 LEAGUE (ILHAS): Dempo SC and Ponda Footballers, Ella ground,
Old Goa, 4.00.pm.
GFA U-16 LEAGUE (NORTH): Sporting Clube de Goa and SAI STC, Don Bosco
ground, 4.00.pm.
THIRD DIVISION LEAGUE (ILHAS): FC Mardol and Ronit Sports Club,
Taleigao ground, 3.45.pm.
