Churchill Brothers touch 30

Churchill Brothers touch 30
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

MARGAO, FEBRUARY 10: Title aspirants Churchill Brothers moved to the top of the table when they snuffed off the challenge of State Bank of Travancore (SBT) with a solitary goal win in the National Football League on Thursday.

The local outfit scored the goal in the 24th minute through a penalty kick taken by medio Rocky Baretto.

Mykola Shevechenko, who worked hard to keep the attack moving took a shot into the goal, that was deliberately handled by SBT defender Dipu Krishnan following a flag kick by Somatai Shaiza, resulting in the penalty kick. Referee P Bhasker of Tamil Nadu showed a red card to Krishnan and awarded the penalty, converted by Baretto.

Churchill bros had better of exchanges throughout the match but failed to consolidate the lead as their strikers failed to capitalise the chances that came their way. The absence of striker Andriy, who could not play because of two yellow cards, was felt upfront.

SBT, despite playing ten men for major part of the match, rallied superbly and came offwith swift counter moves but were foiled by alert rival defence led by Osumanu. The hosts now have 30 points from 14 matches. Mohun Bagan, Calcutta, are placed second with 28 points from 13 matches, followed by Salgaocar, Goa with 23 points, after Thursday's 2-1 win against Border Security Force (bsf).

FC Kochin-Salgaocar tie postponed: The match between FC Kochin and Salgaocar, scheduled in Kochi on February 14, has been postponed due to developments arising out of a shift in the venue. The change in venue was necessitated after the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, where FC Kochin played all their home matches, was allotted for the one-day cricket international between India and South Africa on March 9. A fresh date would be announced later. The Kochi side's fixture against Goa's Dempo, scheduled on February 8, had also been postponed for the same reason.