BLURB
Dominating the proceeding right from the word go, the winners never allowed their opponents to strike rhythm and striker Auelon Gomes was in the thick of action. He almost single-handedly destroyed the pretenders from Colva and opened the scoring in the very 6th minute with a deft placement
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Auelon Gomes scored a hat-trick to fashion Navelim Villagers Union's 6-1 win over 10-man St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva and storm into the quarter-finals of McDowell's N01 Yaari Premier Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Cuncolim Union at Government School play ground, Cuncolim on Thursday. Navelim Villagers Union led 3-0 at half time.
Dominating the proceeding right from the word go, the winners never allowed their opponents to strike rhythm and striker Auelon Gomes was in the thick of action. He almost single-handedly destroyed the pretenders from Colva and opened the scoring in the very 6th minute with a deft placement.
Six minutes later, Navelim Villagers Union doubled the lead when Auelon Gomes beat the rival goalkeeper with an adroit placement off an assist from Clinton Niasso. In the 25th minute, St Anthony's suffered a jolt when Jovisco Fernandes was red-carded by referee for using abusive language. Auelon who was the fulcrum in his team attacks registered his hat-trick in the 29th minute off a pass from Jaison Pereira.The second half did not bring any respite to St Anthony's as Navelim Villagers attacked from both the flanks.
Bitu Singh was in the thick of action as he headed home off a well executed flag-kick taken by Jaison Pereira soon after resumption. Bitu Singh recorded his brace in the 63rd minute when he beat his markers with a volley after Jaison Pereira set him up on a platter.
Down by 0-5, St Anthony's upped their ante in desperation as Clive Mascarenhas managed to score the consolation goal in the 67th minute. Joseph Cardozo rounded off the tally at the fag end to decimate the rivals. On Wednesday, United Club of Benaulim thumped Union of Chinchinim Villagers 3-0 to enter the quarters. Benaulim led 1-0 at the breather.
Benaulim held the upper hand in both the halves and in the 29th minute, Joel Fernandes put his team in front when he flicked the ball over the head of rival goalkeeper David Rebello as the latter moved out of his position. Buoyed by the lead, Benaulim repeatedly raided the rival goal but could not score to due inept shooting by their forwards.
At the other end, Chinchinim pressed hard for the equaliser and had scoring chances but Ashley Rebello shot wide from close range. Crossing over, Benaulim continued in the same vein and in the 58th minute Sunny Fernandes put the issue beyond doubt when he punted the ball to the far corner of the net after Kenneth Fernandes' assist. Buoyed by the 2-0 cushion, Benaulim upped the ante and got their third goal in the 69th minute as Chunkey Kalelkar's pile driver had no answer from rival goalkeeper David Rebello.
Benaulim had a couple of scoring opportunities but Chinchinim Villagers goalkeeper David Rebello thwarted the rival attackers and restricted the score to 3-0. Chinchinim went all out in the dying minute but rival defenders were solid at the back.
SCOREBOX
Navelim Villagers Union 6 beat St Anthony's SC, Colva 1
UC Benaulim 3 beat Union of Chinchinim Villagers 0
PLAYING TODAY
Chandor Club v Sporting Club of Davorlim, Government School play ground, Cuncolim, 4.30 pm
