MARGAO
There were mixed feelings in the Churchill Brothers dressing room after their 14th round GFA Pro League match against Vasco Sports Club ended in a goalless draw at Panchayat ground, Raia on Sunday.
The result was not what they had hoped for the tie. It was a largely disappointing day for Churchill Brothers as Kamaldeep Singh's spot kick in the injury time was saved by substitute goalkeeper Shilton Fernandes to deny Churchill Brothers full three points. With this draw, Churchill Brothers have collected 27 points from 14 matches while Vasco Sports Club stay on 16 points from same number of encounters.
Vasco had a wonderful start as substitute striker Agnelo D'Souza's forced a good save from Churchill Brothers custodian Aliston Fernandes. At the other end, Churchill Brothers almost broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when attacking midfielder Seriton Fernandes unleashed a volley but it was blocked by Vasco goalkeeper Jerson Pereira. Thereafter Vasco made lively efforts to threaten the rival goal and Agnelo D'Souza came close but his rasping shot hit the post. Earlier Vasco goalkeeper Jerson Pereira got injured while collecting a rasping shot from Kamaldeep Singh and was taken to hospital and discharged after receiving first aid.
The second half was more intense and produced enterprising football. Vasco nearly broke the impasse soon after the resumption and came up with counter attacks when midfilder Sujil floated the ball from the right flank inside the rival penalty box and striker Allen Fernandes's thumping header hit the crossbar. Nigerian striker Chinedu Emmanuel's header from rebound again hit the bar and the deflected shot by Agnelo D'Souza was collected by the Churchill goalkeeper.
After that scare, Churchill Brothers regrouped quickly and had a chance to take the lead but Richard Costa delayed in taking a crack at the goal and was thwarted by Vasco goalkeeper Shilton Fernandes after Seriton Fernandes laid him on the platter. Moments later, Churchill came up with a counter attack, superb work by Samson Fernandes ending with a cross to striker Pankaj Sona who unleashed a volley that unfortunately hit the post in the 75th minute.
Two minutes later, again Pankaj Sona spurned an easy chance with only Vasco goalkeeper Shilton Fernandes to beat as he shot wide off a pass Richard Costa. In the injury time, Churchill were awarded a penalty after Jose Colaco handled the ball inside the penalty box after a flag kick taken by Samson Fernandes. The resultant spot kick taken by Kamaldeep Singh hit the goalkeeper and the rebound ricocheted off the crossbar. In another match at Government School playground, Cuncolim, a 10-man Guardian Angel Sports Club rallied from behind to defeat 10-man Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim 2-1. All the goals came in the opening session.
Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim took the lead in the 21st minute when Edgar Sequira scored off a pass from Mathew Colaco. However, their joy was short-lived when Maclon Colaco neutralised the lead off a header. Rozef Colaco struck the match winner couple of minutes before the long whistle.
Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim put up an improved display in the second session but suffered a jolt 10 minutes after resumption when Melvin Fernandes was ejected by referee. Maclon Colaco of Guardian Angel was red-carded by the referee at the fag end.
BLURB
The result was not what Churchill had hoped for the tie. It was a largely disappointing day for Churchill Brothers as Kamaldeep Singh's spot kick in the injury time was saved by substitute goalkeeper Shilton Fernandes to deny Churchill Brothers full three points. With this draw, Churchill Brothers have collected 27 points from 14 matches while Vasco Sports Club stay on 16 points from same number of encounters
