Churchill thrash DSK in I-League tie

Churchill Brothers thrashed DSK Shivajians 3-0 in their I-League match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Sunday.

Three second-half goals from newly-appointed captain Anthony Wolfe (63rd minute), Ghanefo Kromah (67th) and Surabuddin Mollick (90+4) sealed what was only the second win of the season for Churchill. It was also the second clean-sheet of the season for the Goan club.

Churchill thus moved off the bottom of the table, climbing two spots to the eighth position with nine points from 11 matches. DSK are currently sixth with 10 points.

Going into the game, there were some small but notable changes to the Churchill Brothers line-up with coach Derrick Pereira handing the captain's armband to Anthony Wolfe from Keenan Almeida, while second choice goalkeeper Naveen Kumar was promoted over Priyant Singh.

Pereira also turned winger Seriton Fernandes into a makeshift left back, replacing Satish Singh.

The match was off to a slow start and both teams adopted a cautious approach in the first 15 minutes.

Churchill enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the initial stages but the experienced Holicharan Nazary almost put DSK in the lead with a header from close range. Naveen Kumar however, came to Churchill's rescue with an excellent save.

DSK created a superb opportunity in the 62nd minute when a quick counter-attack saw Juan Quero Barrasso release substitute Pranjal Bhumij who hit the crossbar.

The hosts went into the lead in the very next minute as skipper Wolfe started and finished a brilliant attacking move.

Wolfe collected the ball outside the box before completing a one-two pass with Brandon. He received a brilliant return pass from Brandon before producing a beautiful finish with his left foot.

Churchill doubled the lead a short while later when a quick counter-attack caught the DSK defence off-guard. Churchill midfielder Chesterpaul Lyngdoh held off defenders Charles McFaul and Ongnam Milan Singh which allowed Kromah to collect the ball and run clear on goal before a putting side-foot finish past DSK goalkeeper Subrata Paul.

Mollick put the icing on the cake for Churchill with a brilliant long-range attempt to make it 3-0.

--IANS

ajb/dg