MARGAO
Kamo Bayi Stephane struck a brace as Salgaocar FC continued their march towards the GFA Pro League title with an impressive 4-1 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club, Curchorem at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Friday. Salgaocar led 3-0 at the breather.
With this win, Salgaocar took their league tally to 42 points from 17 matches, atop the table, while Guardian Angel SC have 21 points from same number of outings.
The Green Brigade played a dominant game with majority of ball possession, making regular forays into opposition half. Salgaocar opened their account in the 20th minute when midfielder Macroy Peixoto deceived the rival defenders and his shot beat the Guardian Angel goalkeeper Pratesh VK. Down 0-1, Guardian Angel tried to raid the rival defence but didn't find any success, with one of the best chances coming through Yakubu Mohammmed as the ball flashed past the goal twice in some mad action.
After that scare, Salgaocar regrouped and settled down again. The second goal followed soon as Stephane beat the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot in the 36th minute. A minute later, Stephane scored his second with a neat finish, to give the Greens a 3-0 lead going into the break.
Post resumption, Guardian Angel put up a vastly improved display and were awarded a spot kick for their efforts in the 73rd minute when Salgaocar goalkeeper Naveen Kumar brought down midfielder Perryson Rebello inside the penalty box. The referee cautioned the keeper with a yellow card and pointed to the spot. Micky Fernandes sent Kumar the wrong way to bring some cheer to the Guardian Angel dugout.
Stunned by the reducer, Salgaocar went into the attacking mode and Sanson Pereira sealed the rivals' fate in the 86th minute when he punted the ball to the far corner of the net off a pass from Ashlon Pereira.
SCOREBOX
Salgaocar FC 4 (Macroy Peixoto 20', Kamo Bayi Stephane 36', 37', Sanson Pereira 86') Guardian Angel 1 (Micky Fernandes 74')
