Goa Pro League: Churchill Brothers edge Guardian Angel in thriller

The Red Machines secured their third win in the league.

Churchill Brothers recorded back-to-back wins, as they came from a goal down to beat Guardian Angel Sports Club 3-2 in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Friday.

Gilbert Oliveira took Guardian Angel into the lead after converting the spot-kick in the 5th minute, while Trijoy Dias from Churchill Brothers cancelled it in the 26th minutes with a brilliant goal. The Red Machines surged ahead just after crossing ends through an own-goal from William Niasso (53), while Beneston Barretto once again made it all square in the 58th minute. Whereas, substitute Clinton Niasso scored the winner in the 83rd minute. 

Guardian coach Riston Rodrigues made three changes to his side following a 2-1 defeat against Calangute Association in the last match. Arif Pathan, Mevan Dias and Jovial Dias made the cut. Whereas, Churchill also had the same number of changes to their side which defeated Sesa FA in their previous match. Tactician Armando Colaco brought back Afdal Varikkodan and Bersal Viegas into the lineup, while Mohammed Shahsad made his first start of the league.

The Curchorem side made an attacking start to the match and won a penalty in the 5th minute. Basanta Singh’s strike from the edge of the box was handled by Rajender Bairola and referee Mario Pereira quickly pointed to the penalty spot. Their skipper Gilbert Oliveira calmly found the net from the spot-kick to put Angels into the lead in the early minutes.

At the other end, Churchill came close to netting the equalizer in the 19th minute. Myron Mendes dribbled past two opponents and took a strike on goal, but his goalbound shot was blocked by Angels' keeper Ram Sroop. They had another opportunity in the 25th minute. Trijoy Dias made a darting run on the wing and shot at goal from inside the box, but Angels' keeper Ram Sroop once again came up with a breathtaking save to push the ball for a corner.

However, in the very next minute, the Red Machines managed to net the equalizer from the resulting corner. Yagya Kapoor sent a perfect corner to Afdal who cut it back to well-positioned Trijoy in front of goal. The forward just made an easy tap-in to make it 1-1 for his side.   

The Red Machines came out attacking in the second half and took the lead within eight minutes of the restart. However, it was unfortunate for Angels as Churchill’s Afdal setup Trijoy in the box. His shot was brilliantly blocked by rival keeper Ram, but it hit their defender William Niasso and settled in their own goal making it 2-1 to Churchill.

Angels regrouped and took just five more minutes to restore parity. Basanta’s powerful shot from the edge of the box deflected off Churchill defender Bersal and landed to an unmarked Beneston Barretto who made no mistake to shoot past the rival keeper.

The next 20 minutes saw both sides engage in attacking play. Churchill had a chance to once again surge ahead. Velito Cruz sent a through pass to Trijoy, but the forward who had a chance to complete his hat-trick missed the target narrowly with a first time shot.

Angels also had an opportunity to surge ahead in the 79th minute. Gilbert sent a perfect free-kick to Basanta in the box, but the midfielder failed to connect with just the keeper to beat.

Though Trijoy and Afdal missed a couple of more chances, it was the Red Machines who had the last laugh in the match. Trijoy made a short pass to Afdal who howed some brilliant footwork to back-hell it to Clinton Niasso. The substitute forward made an easy tap-in from point black range to book all three points.

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