Alistair, Gareth excel in Andrew’s title victory

St Andrew’s won this title after 19 years, according to coach Francis Cabral and Rodrigues could not have asked for a better birthday present. It was his second one after his godmother gave him a “unique” watch, the likes of which adorns the wrist of “just 5000 people in the world”.

Rodrigues’ timing, in retrospect, was impeccable. St Andrew’s had their back to the wall after St Xavier’s threatened total domination with an early blitz.

St Xavier’s Brian D’Costa won the ballfrom a defender, passed to Aditya Kanade whose cross floated in for Fernandes to head home. Celebrations for St Xavier’s fans.

Ten minutes later, Alistair Pereira latched on to Naushad Merchant’s reluctant push after Merchant had collected a wayward ball superbly and had Xavier’s goalkeeper Jamshir Parekh in two minds, whether to advance or wait.

Parekh waited but Alistair Pereira did not. Celebrations for St Andrew’s fans.

The hollering had barely died down when Rodrigues made it a memorable day for himself. He covered a good 25 metres before he could score past Parekh, abandoned by an unprepared defence.

Parekh had his moments of glory though, diving to his left to save a penalty kick by Jurgen Pereira in the second half after Alok Chogle’s hand had forced a spot kick. Parekh repeated the feat after Tyron Pereira stole the ball from Tyran Fernandes of St Xavier’s and struck powerfully. No escaping Parekh’s steady hands.

St Xavier’s last chance for redemption came in the 45th minute when FloydCoutinho was presented with an embarrassingly easy opportunity. Coutinho waited for the right bounce, the right pace on the ball. He waited for a long time and then made contact, but too late. He had his hands on his head even before the ball flew way past the post.

Campion High School took the third place with a 2-0 win over St Paul’s (Dadar). Palta Yoman and Diwanji Titan were the scorers.