Churchill dislodge Salgoacar

There was no let up in the Churchill attack and after muffing two close chances, they consolidated the lead when Malchevsky received the ball from Carvalho, took a half-turn and essayed a fierce left-footer which hit the underside of the crossbar before entering the net.

Earlier, Malchevsky was unlucky to see his shot from inside the box hit the crossbar off a Carvalho pass.

After conceding the second goal, Salgaocar regrouped and made forays deep into the rival half in the last 10 minutes of the first half. They had a good chance to reduce the margin before the break but the unmarked Bruno Coutinho headed a Santos pass over the bar from inside the box.

After change of ends, Salgaocar pushed to reduce the margin and came close thrice when Santos, substitute Sherifdeen Adeneka and Gbenga Lawal failed to find the mark.

In the 59th, Jules Alberto moved up and relayed the ball to Santos inside the box, but the Brazilian failed to beat keeper Edward and shot straight at him.

Three minutes later, Lawal’s header from inside the box off a flag kick was intercepted by defender Denzil Ferrao.

Salgaocar played their hearts out in the dying minutes and finally reduced the margin in the 87th minute.

After receiving a short pass from substitute Dennis Cabral off a flag kick, Roque Pereira centered to Santos inside the box and the Brazilian beat the charging ‘keeper Edward with a header.

Spurred by the success, Salgaocar pressed hard for the equaliser and nearly got it before Edward Ansah made a brilliant save, diving to his right to stop a Santos header off a lob from substitute Augustine.

Four minutes before the long whistle, Churchill’s Oscar Hunda had to leave the field on receiving his second booking after kicking Habib Adekunle. Malchevsky and substiute Santan Colaco were also shown the yellow card.