PANAJI
Riding on a fine brace from Franky Oliveiro, Churchill Brothers scored a fluent 2-0 win over Calangute Association in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Monday. Franky scored in either half (35’ & 66’).
Calangute Association came with early attempts. First, Nickson Castanha’s free-kick took a slight deflection and went out for a corner and then Siddant Shirodkar was denied by keeper Debnath Mondal.
Then it was Churchill Brothers' turn to raid and they were close to scoring when Franky set up Yagya Kapoor, whose shot was blocked by Melvin Lobo at the near post. Later, Afdal was denied by Paramveer.
Churchill Brothers finally broke the deadlock at the half-our mark. Nickson Castanha, who had a poor start, lost possession at the halfway mark and Afdal Varikkodan “ who upon covering some distance “ sent a pass to Jouston Barbosa on the left. The winger on reaching the byline squared in the middle to Franky, who scored with a simple tap-in to put his team ahead in the game.
Calanagute had a chance to restore parity just before the breather but none of their attackers could connect a Rohan Kamble corner on target.
In the second half, Calangute had a good build-up. Domnic Fernandes sent in a low defence-splitting pass to Kouame Junior, who upon entering the box, squared the ball at the far post to an unmarked Sidhart Kundaikar, whose attempt narrowly missed the target.
Calangute had yet another chance when Sidhart Kundaikar dispossessed Kidron Fernandes on the right flank and passed to Siddhant Shirodkar, who had all the time and space to beat the keeper but hit straight at the keeper, much to the frustration of his team.
Churchill Brothers were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute when Paramveer Singh brought down Jouston Barbosa in the box. Franky kept his composure and coolly converted from the spot.
Churchill Brothers' Jouston had poor form in front of the goal. Having missed two clear chances earlier, the youngster failed to control a cross from Velito D’Cruz from the left. The midfielder’s poor first touch let him down as he just had the keeper at his mercy.
