MARGAO
Churchill Brothers FC Goa delivered a resounding 3-1 victory over Dempo SC in a highly anticipated Goa Derby at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.
The triumph solidified Churchill Brothers' position in the I-League 2024-25 title race, while deepening Dempo’s struggles.
From the opening whistle, Churchill Brothers exhibited tactical superiority, dictating the tempo and showcasing a cohesive attacking strategy. Their effective utilization of the pitch's width stretched Dempo's defense, creating gaps and opportunities. The Red Machines' relentless pressure culminated in the 26th minute, albeit with an element of fortune. A low, driven shot from Wayde Lekay, intended for goal, was inadvertently deflected into the net by Dempo's Mohamed Ali, gifting Churchill Brothers the lead.
The momentum firmly in their grasp, Churchill Brothers doubled their advantage in the 35th minute. Lekay, proving to be a constant thorn in Dempo's side, latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball, demonstrating composure and precision to slot the ball past a helpless Ashish Sibi. The first half concluded with Churchill Brothers firmly in control, leaving Dempo searching for answers.
The second half saw Dempo attempting a resurgence, but their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Churchill Brothers' resolute defense. A golden opportunity presented itself in the 56th minute when Kingslee Fernandes conceded a penalty. However, Marcus Joseph squandered the chance, sending his effort soaring over the crossbar, much to the dismay of the Dempo faithful.
Two minutes later, Churchill Brothers effectively sealed the victory. A moment of brilliance from Lamgoulen Semkholun, threading a pinpoint pass to Lekay, who in turn, provided a deft flick to Stendly Fernandes. The midfielder made no mistake, rifling his shot home to extend Churchill Brothers' lead to 3-0.
Dempo managed to pull one back in the 66th minute through a set-piece. A well-delivered free-kick found Shaher Shaheen, who rose above the defense to head home. However, it proved to be a mere consolation, as Churchill Brothers maintained their composure and control, effectively shutting down any further Dempo advances.
Lekay’s stellar performance, featuring a goal and an assist, propelled him to third in the league’s goal-scoring charts, solidifying his status as a key player for Churchill Brothers. This victory propelled Churchill Brothers to 37 points from 19 matches, placing them firmly in the title race, three points ahead of Inter Kashi, who have a game in hand. In contrast, Dempo languished in ninth place with 22 points, hovering just above the relegation zone.
