Goa Pro League 2019-20: FC Goa trounce Churchill Brothers

The ISL team's developmental side had four different goalscorers on the scoresheet against the Red Machines.

FC Goa registered a fluent 4-1 win over Churchill Brothers in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Tuesday.

Sweden Fernandes, Flan Gomes, Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung and Aaren D'Silva scored for the Junior Gaurs. While Mauvin Borges scored the consolation goal for the Red Machines.

After a fluent win in the I-League over Punjab FC, at least a half-packed Duler Stadium was expected. But, GFA’s decision to schedule a match on the feast day of St. Francis Xavier restricted the clash to hardly 60 paid spectators.

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The ISL developmental side made only one change to their side which edged Calangute Association in the previous match. Their striker Lalawmpuia made a comeback to the lineup for the junior Gaurs.

Meanwhile, Nongmrikapam Meitei, Clencio Pinto, Rohan Adnaik and Meldon D’Silva were the changes to the Churchill side, which outclassed Corps of Signals 5-0 in the last match.

FC Goa had a great start to the match, as they took the lead in the just the fourth minute. A fine long cross by skipper Leander D’Cunha was brilliantly headed in by Sweden Fernandes from close range to give his side an early lead.

Churchill also had a chance to level back in the 14th minute. Trinidadian striker Willis Plaza found Clencio in the box with a low cross, but the forward couldn't finish with just the keeper to beat.

Churchill striker Clencio had another opportunity to make it all square. He snatched the ball from FC Goa keeper Dylan Da Silva’s gloves when he was trying to collect Plaza’s curler, but the custodian was quick enough to recollect it on time.

A few minutes later, Churchill Brothers winger Wendell Coelho came up with a perfect cross to Plaza in the box, but FC Goa keeper Dylan brilliantly blocked the Trinidadian forward in a one-on-one situation. A minute before this, FC Goa had a chance to double their lead. Flan Gomes made a short pass to Nestor at the top of the box. But, Churchill keeper Md. Jafar Mondal managed to keep out the player's on-target attempt.

Churchill assistant coach Mario Soares, who was in-charge of the team in absence of the head coach, made a substitution at half-time. He brought in Schubert Pereira to replace U-20 midfielder Wendell. While, Mauvin Borges replaced Darren Peixoto to sharpen the attack.

The Red Machines had a great chance in the 53rd minute. Meldon made a long cross to Plaza in the box, who set it up for Clencio with a smart header, but the forward failed to connect from 10 yards out.

At the other end, Lalnuntluanga headed Lalawmpuia's free-kick into the box. But, the ball took a rebound off the crossbar and he failed to keep his shot on target, as the ball landed at his feet.

Churchill finally managed to level back in the 56th minute. Both the substitutes nicely gelled up at the top of the box. Schubert made a perfect through pass to Mauvin, whose powerful shot from just inside the box finished inside the far post, making it 1-1 for the Red Machines.

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FC Goa took just 11 more to restore their lead. Lalawmpuia made a brilliant through pass to Lalnuntluanga, who covered few steps before clinically finishing it in the back of the net to make it 2-1.

FC Goa further extended their lead in the 78th minute. Flan Gomes found himself on the end of a long clearance from midfield. He covered some ground and smartly finished the ball in the back of the net.

A minute later, FC Goa left-back Serineo Fernandes made a long cross to substitute striker Aaren D’Silva, who chested it down before curling it inside the far post to make it 4-1 for his side.

Click here for the Goa Pro League 2019-20 points table after this match.