PANAJI
Dempo SC scored a fluent 2-0 win over Churchill Brothers FC in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday. Richard Cardoz (6’) and Gaurav Vaigankar (40’) scored for the Golden Eagles to ensure full points.
The teams started cautiously keeping more of the ball in the midfield. But it was Dempo SC who broke the deadlock with a stunner in the sixth minute when Ricard, on getting the ball in the midfield, fired a long-range strike from a 35-yard distance giving no chance to Churchill custodian Debnath Mondal.
Churchill Brothers were a much-improved side having four changes in the team. The Red Machines displayed more organised play and nearly equalised when Shallum Pires mistimed his header in a bid to clear the ball. The ball fell to Afdal Varikkodan, whose touch beat the onrushing keeper but Edwin Viegas made a crucial goalline clearance to keep Dempo’s 1-0 lead intact.
The Red Machines created regular inroads and should have got the equaliser if not for the brilliance of goalkeeper Melroy Fernandes. Churchill’s Mohammed Shahsad found Jouston Barbosa with a neat through pass and the latter took a first-time shot, which was brilliantly saved by Melroy. Churchill had another miss when Shahsad failed to connect to a low cross from the right flank.
The Golden Eagles doubled the tally in the 40th minute when Shallum sent in a long freekick which was headed in by Gaurav. Dempo had back-to-back chances after the restart. On both occasions, it was Richard who was the provider. In the first instance, he bent a perfect corner kick to Gaurav, but he failed to direct into the goal. Nigel Fernandes squandered a golden opportunity to inflate the score when he was sent through by Richard from right. With the keeper charging at him, Nigel's lobbed shot narrowly missed the side post.
At the other end, Churchill Brothers FC came with a fine attack using their flank. Jobern Cardozo sent in a cross in the box to an unmarked Ramesh Das, who connected well but his effort was saved by Melroy.
Dempo had another chance to add to their goals when Nigel ran from the halfway line and got past his marker upon entering the box, but his poor final shot was easily collected by the keeper. Churchill were denied late in the game by the post when Rakesh’s freekick crashed onto the woodwork.
