Churchill Brothers and Calangute Association played out a 1-1 draw in the CAM Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Nitish Harza put Calangute ahead while Aaron Barreto scored the equaliser. Both goals were scored in the second session.
Early in the opening minutes, Moses Dsa sent in a long ball from his own half catching the Churchill Bros defence offguard, which saw Junior Carret through on goal, but the foreign recruit’s feeble left-foot shot went off-target. Later, Calangute’s Pandurang Gauns tried a shot from a distance but it sailed over the bar.
Churchill Brothers had a chance at the other end as Aaron intercepted a pass from Calangute in the rival territory and set up Shubert Pereira, however, the last-named shot wide from close.
In the 16th minute, Calangute were awarded a free-kick outside the box. Moses Dsa, Calangute’s mainstay midfielder stepped up, but saw his effort which beat the wall being cleanly collected by the keeper.
At the other end, Churchill Bros came up with a quick counter when Trijoy Dias dispossessed Moses Dsa in the midfield and broke into the rival half and set up Bradley Carvalho through on goal, but Bradley shot wide from a good angle.
Just before the breather, Calangute had another shot on goal when Carret sent in a diagonal through pass to Jovito Fernandes, who took a first time left foot shot, which was saved by the Churchill Brothers keeper.
In the second half, Churchill nearly got their goal after coach Keenan Almeida introduced Hayden Fernandes and Chaitan Komarpant in the game. The duo gave room for Trijoy to play in more central position and he nearly delivered when he dribbled past entire Calangute defence only to see his shot being saved by the keeper Presley Mascarenhas. The rebound fell to Bradley’s feet but his effort was cleared off the line by a diving Melvin Lobo.
Calangute finally broke the deadlock from a setpiece when a Moses Dsa corner kick was nodded in by Nitish Hazra.
At the other end, Churchill Bros came with a quick response when Hayden Fernandes sent in a long ball in the rival half which the Calangute defence failed to deal and Aaron Barreto pounced on the ball to flick it past the onrushing keeper. Later, Churchill Bros keeper Subhajit came with a fine save to deny Richard Cardoz.
Meanwhile at Nagoa ground, Fhezer Gomes scored a fine hat-trick as Salgaocar thrashed Guardian Angel SC 6-1.
Salgaocar FC took the lead in the 20th minute through Mark Carvalho and then doubled the lead in the 29th minute through Beckham Dias.
In the second half, Fhezer Gomes was introduced in the game and he smashed a fine hat-trick, scoring in the 46’, 71’ and 79th minutes. Mark added one more in the second half to complete his brace. Gilbert pulled a goal back for the losing team from the penalty spot.
