Churchill pip Salgaocar 2-1

Margao, Jan 19 (UNI) Trailing by a goal at the breather, title aspirant Churchill Brothers came up strongly in the latter half to edge out bottom-placed Salgaocar Sports Club 2-1 to gain full points in their 12th round ONGC I League championship match played at the Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.

Mboyo Iyomi in the 74th minute and Odafe Okolie in the injury time scored for Churchill Brothers, while the lone goal for Salgaocar came through Rochus Lamare in the 41st minute.

With this win, Churchill increased their points tally to 23 points from 12 outings. Salgaocar remained at the bottom with five points from as many matches.

The dull and drab first half, which was restricted to the midfield for the major part of the play, did not witness any penetrating moves for the first 40 minutes though both the teams were trying to find their bearings.

Salgaocar shot into the lead in the 41st minute through medio Rochus Lamare, whose 30-yarder right-footed curling shot found the net off a pass from Nicolas Rodrigues.

Stung by the debacle, Churchill launched a counter attack and could have equalised in the 45th minute but Salgaocar goalkeeper Milagres Madeira brought off a fine save off a header by Mboyo Iyomi from a cross by Odafe Okolie. At half time, Salgaocar were leading 1-0.

After the cross-over, Churchill up came with one good move in the 50th minute when Reisangmi Vasum passed to Ogbakalu Nanna whose shot missed the target narrowly.

Churchill restored parity in the 74th minute through Mboyo Iyomi whose shot from close range found the net off a pass from Odafe to make it 1-1.

In the 78th minute, Salgaocar goalkeeper Milagres Madeira was injured and was replaced by Marques Basumatarai.

Salgaocar could have moved ahead in the 88th time but Boniface Ambani missed a golden opportnity.

Churchill scored the match-winner in injury time of the second half through Odafe Okolie off a penalty. Referee Pradeep Kumar had no hesitation in awarding the penalty when Odafe was brought down in the penalty area by rival defender Nicolau Rodrigues. Odafe converted the spot kick correctly and Churchill won the match 2-1.

Churchill medio Chandam Singh was later adudged the man of the match for his fine performance.

UNI SRN MAZ AB RAI1957