MARGAO
Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao blanked Panchwadi United Sports Club 2-0 in the GFA First Division League at Panchayat ground, Raia on Monday. Clube Sao Miguel led 1-0 at the breather.
Clube Sao Miguel started on a bright note as Panchwadi United took time to settle down. They were the superior side in both the sessions but could not translate their dominance into goals. For them, strikers Pramod Mardolkar and Shashank Naik troubled the rival defence with sporadic raids but could not score due to poor marksmanship.
Clube Sao Miguel should have taken the lead but striker Shashank fumbled at the crucial moment with only the rival goalkeeper to beat. At the other end, Panchwadi United struggled and their rival defence was stubborn and never allowed them to manoeuvre inside the penalty box.
Clube Sao Miguel got the lead in the 20th minute when Guatam Kankonkar's shot was parried away by the rival goalkeeper and the rebound fell for striker Pramod, who made no mistake in slamming the ball home. Spurred by the early success, Clube Sao Miguel upped the ante and unleashed a barrage of attacks but their forwards frittered away chances from hand shaking distance.
Stung by the early setback, Panchwadi United went all out in search of equaliser but striker Agnelo Colaco's rasping shot missed the mark narrowly. Panchwadi United came out all guns blazing after half time and had a couple of scoring opportunities and nearly found the equaliser but midfielder Cliff Baretto's rasping shot hit the crossbar much to the dismay of their supporters.
After the minor scare, Clube Sao Miguel dominated the better part of the second session with Suraj Hadonker orchestrating several Taleigao attacks. Shashank came close to doubling the lead but missed an open chance with only the rival goalkeeper to beat. On the other hand, Panchwadi United attackers were frustrated by Taleigao goalkeeper Francis Fernandes as he effected three superb saves to deny Agnelo Colaco and Paxton Gomes.
Clube Sao Miguel sealed the rivals' fate in the 82nd minute when Shashank beat the rival goalkeeper with a clinicial finish, off pass from Pramod. With time running out, Panchwadi United came close to scoring a consolation goal but Paxton Gomes' carpet drive was well blocked by goalkeeper Francis to protect the 2-0 cushion.
With this win, Clube Sao Miguel collected 14 points from 8 encounters while Panchwadi United Sports Club stay on four points from same number of matches.
RESULT
CLUB SAO MIGUEL DE TALEIGAO 2 (Pramod Mardolkar 20, Shashank Naik 82) beat PANCHWADI UNITED 0
