GPL 2019-20: Sesa share spoils with dominant Churchill Brothers

The Red Machines dropped points for the first time in the league.

Churchill Brothers Sports Club were held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted side Sesa Football Academy in the Goa Professional League match, played at Duler Stadium.

The Red Machines have now earned 13 points from five matches and are standing second behind Dempo SC. On the other hand, Sesa are placed at 6th with seven points from six games.

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Churchill were unlucky in the very 2nd minute of the game as Jovel Martin's long ball was head by Mauvin Borges but it rebounded off the side post.

Sesa replied them with a swift attack from the left flank as Stephen Colaco made a darting run to enter the box but failed to put power in his shot from close range as Churchill Brothers keeper MD Jafer Mondal made a comfortable save. 

A few minutes later, Sesa had a great opportunity to take the lead when a back pass from Churchill defender Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei was intercepted by forward Olvin Cardozo. However, his placement was brilliantly blocked by keeper Jafer.

At the other end, Sesa defender Nongpoknganba Singh made a similar mistake in the box as Churchill's Willis Plaza snatched the ball. He then found their U-20 star Wendell Coelho, whose strike was cleared off the goal line by Sesa skipper Melvin Lobo. the defender once again managed to clear Glen Martin's strike to keep the scores levelled.

Churchill had another chance in the 41st minute as Plaza made a brilliant through pass to U-20 Preston Fernandes but Sesa keeper Sapam Singh came off his line to thwart the forward's effort off.

Failing to score in the first session,  Churchill coach Ansah brought in two strikers in the second half to strengthen his side at the front as Schubert Pereira  and Clencio Pinto replaced both the U-20 players.

Churchill tried hard to break Sesa's defense from the start of the session but Sesa last line led by Melvin and Myran Pereira along with Biken and Caitano Viegas and keeper Sapam stand tall to clear every danger created by Plaza, Clencio and Schubert. 

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Further, Schubert made a brilliant cross in the box but first Plaza and later Clencio failed to deliver from close range.

They had another opportunity in the 74th minute when Plaza sent a perfect pass to Mauvin in the box but his attempt was brilliantly saved by Sapam.

The last quarter of the match witnessed excellent defending by Sesa as they snatched a point from the difficult encounter.