Vasco: Two goals, one in sach half helped Churchill Brothers register their first win at home with a 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong at the Tilak Maidan here on Friday. Defender Osagie Monday scored the opening goal while new recruit PM Britto added a double late into the game to ensure all three points for the ‘Red Machines’, their second this season.
Confident after clinching four points in their last two matches, it was Churchill who started on the upwards piling up attacks in the few minutes that Lajong found hard to contain and it was one of those movements that led to the first goal when young goalkeeper Tempa Lachenpa misjudged a chip from Monday.
Always out of his line to block defensive errors, the 19 year-old found himself in no men’s land as a long clearance by the Nigerian ended inside the net giving Churchill the lead as early as the eight minute. They could have doubled it minutes later but striker Mechac Koffi unmarked inside the box, shot over.
Injury soon hit the Churchill camp as captain Kalu Ogba limped off but that did not deter them as the hosts kept up there attackng spree.
“This Churchill team is different,” said assistant coach Alfred Fernandes later happy with the win. “We will move on from here,” he added in a confident tone.
Lajong on the other failed to penetrate with Wayne Vaz’s long range shot that went over the bar their best chances in the half. They were however a better team after play restarted using the flanks to built up most of their attacks.
A goal was certain when Lalrohlua’s lob found Hardy Cliff one-on-one with goalkeeper Kithan
James in the Churchill box but the Meghalaya born player hit wide of the target and when Saihou Jagne’s shot struck the upright even after bearing the goalkeeper in the 71st minute it seemed all was over the boys for the hills.
But Churchill didn’t stop, increasing their lead to a second in the 76th minute after PM Britto fired a pile-driver that sailed past Lachenpa into the goal giving his side an important win late into the campaign.
It kept them on ninth with seven points from eight matches, but are just three points behind the seventh placed Indian Arrows.