MARGAO
Rodrigues Youth scored a hard fought victory over Bandoi Boys 3-2 to win the II Santano & Silvio Mendes Memorial Rolling Trophy Soccer, organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, at the Club's Fr Druston and Wellington ground, Cavelossim.
In a balanced encounter both teams had a fair share of opportunities to score but the rival keepers held the upper hand.
A chance fell to Johan who passed the ball to Anand Souza who shot past the Bandoi keeper Amogi to draw first blood for Rodrigues Youth. Anand could have made 2- 0 but a sliding tackle by Asher in the box denied him from the opportunity.
Just before lemon break, Asher took a power-packed free-kick to beat Samuel in the Rodrigues goal and level the score 1-1.
Crossing over, Bandoi Boys asserted their superiority when in a goal mouth melee, veteran Charles seized the ball and fired from a tight angle to make it 2-1 for Bandoi Boys.
Hardly had cheers died down, Mevan Gracias from the right flank crossed the ball which was accrobatically headed in by Blayne Rodrigues into the top corner of the Bandoi goal and make it 2-2.
With minutes left for the final whistle, Rodrigues Youth were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of penalty area. Mevan who took the kick passed the ball to Anand on the right whose first attempt rebounded from Devin Barreto and landed near Jonas Fernandes who made no mistake make it 3-1 in favour of Rodrigues Youth.
Solomon Mendes, Chairman of the Club and Proprietor of Milmar Sam's Family Restaurant, Assolna was the chief guest and gave away the awards in the presence of ex-Sarpanch and Ex-President of the Club Dionizio Dias, Fr Ubaldo Fernandes, Parish Priest,Fr Saude Pereira of Cavelossim Parish, Dixon Vaz, Sarpanch of VP Cavelossim and other dignitaries.
Individual awards
Best goalkeeper: Samuel Rodrigues
Best defender: Johan Fernandes
Best player of-the-final: Asher Rodrigues
First goal of-the-final: Anand Souza
Best goal of-the-final: Blayne Rodrigues
Promising player.: Joshua Pereira (BDG)
Youngest player: Royson Pereira (PAK)
