Churchill down Dempo in Goa Sevens

Agnelo Colaco shines with a hattrick as Red Machines romp to success...

Churchill Brothers Sports Club smashed Dempo Sports Club as the South Goa club registered a commanding 3-1 win in the opening match of the Goa Seven Premier League played at SAG Ground, Fatorda earlier today.

The Goa Seven Premier League is the first Pro7 football league of the state organised by Ambelim Sports Club.

Dempo started on an attacking note and tried to put pressure on the opponents. Joaquim Abranches tried to find Beevan D’Mello in the box but Churchill defender Elvis Barreto cleared it on time. A few minute later, Beevan’s goal-bound shot from distance was pushed for a corner by keeper Ricardo Cardozo.

At the other end, Agnelo Colaco made a darting run on the wings and curled it into the feet of Nicholas Fernandes but the striker was a little late in connecting with the ball. Agnelo was once again in action when he brilliantly curled the ball in the goal from the corner but Dempo shot-stopper made an acrobatic effort to deny the frontman.

On 15 minutes, Hayden Fernandes tried his luck from distance but Churchill keeper Cardozo once again came up with a brilliant save to keep his side safe. The Golden Eagles once again came close to scoring when Hayden found Beevan in the box with a perfect cross but the striker’s header was brilliantly fisted over the crossbar by the keeper Cardozo.

Finally, in first half added time, The Red Machines opened their tally through Agnelo. The frontman once again went for glory directly from the corner but this time Dempo keeper Tyson Caido failed to stop the ball from going in as the Varca-based club entered the changing room with a goal lead on their side.

The second half started with attacking football from both the ends but Dempo were more efficient in creating chances. They had a golden opportunity to equalise when Beevan covered some ground dribbling past few defenders to enter the danger area but the 30-year-old striker failed to shoot on target from close. A minute later, they had one more chance but this time Abranches wasted it with lazy play in the box.

In the last quarter of the match, Dempo came up with a series of shots on target but first, Churchill keeper Cardozo made a diving effort to save Nickson Castanhas' long-ranger. Later he denied Joaquim from scoring with a brilliant block.

The Golden Eagles finally found the equaliser in the 46th minute when Beevan stylishly shot past keeper Cardozo off Joaquim’s diagonal pass from the right flank. However, the Panjim-based club failed to hold the Churchill striker for long as they conceded two more goals in the dying minutes of the match.

Agnelo Colaco scored his second with just three minutes to go on the clock with a sparkling left footer from inside the box. He was once again on the scoresheet as the striker completed his hat-trick against the run of play and confirmed Churchill’s victory.

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In the earlier exhibition match, North Goa Veterans beat South Goa Veterans 5-4 on sudden death penalty shootout. After a goalless first half, David D’Sousa opened the tally for North Goa in the dying minutes. However, they failed to hold their lead and conceded in the very next minute through Mariano Dias. North Goa keeper saved two times in the shootout to confirm their victory.