After being tied 1-1 at the breather, Cavelossim hit back in the second half to stun Churchill Bros for a 3-2 victory
The Goan Network
MARGAO
Just before sending his team to the field against Churchill Brothers Sports Club, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim coach Severino Fernandes gave his players a simple pep talk at the dressing room - "forget about the previous match and just give me a win," he said.
Cavelossim players did not dissapoint their coach as they scored a 3-2 win over Churchill Brothers in the Pro League match at panchayat grounds, Raia on Tuesday. Both the teams were tied 1-1 at the breather.
The first 45 minutes saw very few shots at the goal and both the teams did not test the goalkeepers. Churchill Bros quickly got into their groove and did most of the attack midway in the opening seesion but Cavelossim showed good progress as the match wore on.
Churchill Bros broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Pankaj Sona's well executed flag kick was beautifully headed home by central midfielder Manfred Fernandes beating the rival goalkeeper Ram Sroop hands down. Stung by that setabck, Cavelossim almost levelled the score but striker Melwin Fernandes' rasping shot was palmed away by the Churchill Bros goalkeeper Aliston Fernandes and on the rebound Alliston Fernandes' try was fisted away to safety by the goalkeeper and the ball travelled to Manfred Fernandes, who while trying to avert the danger lucklily hit the cross bar.
Cavelossim's eqauliser came in the first half injury time when captain and attacking midfielder Mario Mascarenhas' well executed free kick from the left flank caught the Churchill Bros' goalkeeper Alliston Fernandes napping.
The second half was lively with both the teams pressing for the goals. Soon after resumption, Churchill Bros' Nicholas Fernandes unleashed a left-footed drive which was thwarted by Cavelossim defenders. Five minutes later, Yendren Ram Metei's flag kick hit the post much to the dismay of Churchill Bros supporters. Cavelossim got their second goal in the 67th minute through substitute Clencio Pinto. Follwing a flag-kick taken by Mario Mascarenhas, Clencio Pinto nodded home to make it 2-1 in favour of Cavelossim.Spurred by the equaliser, Cavelossim intensfied their attacks and came close to increasing the lead on a number of ocassions. Striker Melwin Fernandes made a mess of a beautifull through ball from Josuah Vaz.Cavelossim got their third goal with susbstitute Joshuah Vaz putting the ball into the far corner of the net off a pass from Mario Mascarenhas in the 83rd minute.
Churchill Bros reduced the margin three minutes later when susbstitute Jaison Valles drilled past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot off a pass from Elvis Baretto.The win helped Cavelossim to 20 points from 16 matches while Churchill Brothers virtually dashed their title hopes and stay with 27 points from same number of encounters.
Scorebox
St Cruz Cavelossim 3 beat Churchill Bros 2
