PANAJI: Youth Club of Manora registered a solitary goal win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. Nicholas Fernandes scored the all-important goal in the 34th minute.
Velsao created chances from the opening minute of the game, but that side just could not score of those opportunities. Ganesh Thakur was wasteful for Velsao in the opening minutes.
In the 12th minute, Peter Carvalho nodded in a Brian Mascarenhas corner-kick which was easily collected by Manora keeper Luis Barreto. Later Velsao SCC’s Ganesh Thakur had two glorious chances to score. On both occasions, he dribbled past a Manora defender and instead of squaring into the box, the midfielder wasted the opportunities with feeble shots.
In the 20th minute, Velsao SCC were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Brian Mascarenhas sent in a low powerful drive which was brilliantly saved by Barreto, but the ball travelled to Jesloy. His shot from a tight angle however, narrowly missed the side post. Later Jesloy had an opportunity after being set up one-on-one with the keeper, but the youngster shot straight to the goalie.
Post the water-break, Velsao SCC continued to miss chances. Savelon Cardozo sent in a cross from the left which Jesloy Moniz headed poorly.
At the other end, YC Manora took the lead in the 34th minute with a brilliant strike from Nicholas Fernandes, who showed his class and composure as he got past two defenders and upon entering the box, dribbled the third and scored past Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas.
Manora missed another great opportunity to double the lead just before half time when Nicholas sent in a low cross from the right to Eldon Colaco, whose placement was kept out of the goal by Presley.
Post resumption, Presley came up with another fine save to deny Eldon Colaco, who was fed by Nicholas in the box. The remainder of the second half saw both teams play more of a midfield battle.
In the dying minutes of the game, Joseph Pereira attempted a long-range shot from outside the box, which sailed over the bar. At the other end, Jeh Williamson squandered a chance to double the lead when on receiving a pass on the right, he cut past his marker but could only fire a weak shot, which was straight to the keeper.
