SCOREBOX
Cortalim Villagers 1 (Sidney Lucas 5') drew with Churchill Brothers 1 (Godwin Fernandes 90+2')
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PANAJI
Cortalim Villagers were denied at the death as Churchill Brothers struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw in a tense encounter on Wednesday.
The hosts made a dream start. Within five minutes, Ashnoy Gomes was brought down inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Sidney Lucas stepped up and converted calmly to hand Cortalim an early advantage. There was further drama before the penalty was taken as Churchill goalkeeper Gairik Roy was cautioned for time-wasting.
Cortalim looked the sharper side in the opening half and sought to build on their lead, though clear openings proved limited. Delmon Rebello and Ankush Gopal Singh both went into the referee’s book as the contest grew increasingly physical. Churchill attempted to steady themselves but struggled to carve out meaningful chances before the interval with Cortalim taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second half followed a fiercely contested pattern in midfield. Norman Dias and Richard Costa were booked amid rising intensity. Cortalim nearly doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute, but Roy produced a sharp save to keep Churchill in the contest.
That moment proved decisive. With time almost up and over twelve minutes of added time played, Cortalim goalkeeper Frevino Fernandes ventured off his line, leaving space behind. Churchill capitalised as the ball fell kindly for Godwin Fernandes, who made no mistake in steering home a dramatic equaliser in the 90+2 minute. Despite late pressure from both sides, neither could find a winner and the points were ultimately shared in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
