10- men Churchill trounce Chirag 2-0, climb to top

MARGAO: True to their reputation, defending champions Churchill Brothers stopped Chirag United Kolkata's unbeaten run with a hard fought 2-0 win in their 8th round ONGC I - League Football championship match at the Nehru stadium at Fatorda on Friday.

Churchill goals came through Ogba Kalu in the sixth minute and Odafe Okolie in the 65th minute.

Such was a dominance of Churchill brothers in both the halves on Friday and they could have romped home with much bigger margin had they utilised the chances before them.

Churchill, with this win, climb at the top of the ladder with 16 points from 8 outings with 4 wins and 4 draws. While Chirag United remained on same 15 points with 4 wins, 3 draws and a first defeat.

Starting at full steam, Churchill drew first blood as early as in the 6th minute of the first half through Kalu Ogba, whose header found the net following a good pass from Khanthang Paite.

The home team had another good chance to increase the lead in the 10th minute when Khanthang Paite initiated a move and sent an aerial pass to Felix, whose header missed the mark.

Soon after, Chirag came with a good move when Jayanta Sen iintiated a move and pass to Lalawmpuia, who moved the ball to Subroto Roy but he switched over the ball to better placed Gouranga Dutta, who failed to connect.

In the 52nd minute, Churchill were reduced to ten men when referee Mohd Kamil flashed a red card to Nascimento Silveira for hitting on the face of Chirag’s Jayant Sen.

Churchill consolidated their lead in the 65th minute through Odafe who foxed the Chirag defence well to unleash a right footer which found the net to make it 2-0.
Churchill had another chance to increase the lead five minutes before the long whistle but Paite wasted an easy chance a pass from Odafe.