PANAJI
Youth Club of Manora registered a narrow 1-0 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. Nicholas Fernandes scored the lone goal in the 34th minute.
Youth Club Manora made six changes in their line-up, while Peter Carvalho returned to the starting XI for Velsao.
Velsao had many chances in the opening minutes of the game. Opportunities were created but the side just couldn't take their chances as Ganesh Thakur was wasteful for Velsao early on.
In the 12th minute, Peter Carvalho nodded in a Brian Mascarenhas corner-kick, which was easily collected by Manora keeper Luis Barreto. Later, Velsao’s Ganesh Thakur had two good chances to score. On both occasions, he dribbled past the Manora defenders and instead of squaring into the box, the midfielder sent in feeble shots.
In the 20th minute, Velsao SCC were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Brian Mascarenhas sent in a low powerful drive, which was brilliantly saved by Barreto, but the ball travelled to Jesloy, whose shot from a tight angle narrowly missed the side post. Later, Jesloy had an opportunity after being set up one-on-one with the keeper. But the youngster shot straight to the keeper.
Post a water break, Velsao SCC continued to miss their chances. Savelon Cardozo sent in a cross from the left which Jesloy Moniz headed wide.
At the other end, YC Manora took the lead in the 34th minute with a brilliant strike from Nicholas Fernandes, who got past two defenders and upon entering the box, dribbled past the third and scored past Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas.
Manora missed another great opportunity to double the lead just before the half-time whistle when Nicholas sent in a low cross from the right to Eldon Colaco, whose placement shot was kept out of the goal by Presley.
Post resumption, Presley made another fine save to deny Eldon Colaco, who was fed by Nicholas in the box. The remainder of the second half saw both teams play more of a midfield battle.
In the dying minutes of the game, Joseph Pereira attempted a long-range shot from outside the box, which sailed over the bar. At the other end, Jeh Williamson squandered a chance to double the lead, when on receiving a pass on the right, he cut past his marker and tried a weak shot, which went straight to the keeper.
