Second win on trot for Salgaocar

Salgaocar Sports Club made it two wins in a row after effortlessly brushing aside the challenge of Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 in the Airtel I-League football at the Duler Stadium here Sunday.

Scottish striker Darryl Duffy opened the account for Salgaocar three minutes before the end of the first session. Claude Gnakpa and Augustine Fernandes got the goals in the second session to help Derrick Pereira's side garner six points from two matches.

Derrick fielded an unchanged side from the one that defeated Churchill Brothers in the opening game and they took little time in dictating terms. The strikers, Duffy and Gnakpa, in particular were a constant threat.

For Mohammedan Sporting, Josimar Martins and Tolgay Ozbey did have good looks at the rival goal but appeared to lack the cutting edge upfront. Whenever they did take a crack at the Salgaocar goal, Karanjit Singh proved equal to the task. Israil Gurung, too, had a chance but Karanjit replied with a wonderful finger-tip save to keep the slate clean at the half hour mark.

Salgaocar broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Francis Fernandes, Clifton Dias and Duffy played delightful short passes inside the danger zone and were lucky that goalkeeper Somnath Khara was not alert to the situation. The result, a simple tap for Duffy.

Early in the second session, Mohammedan could have clawed back into the game after Karanjit misjudged Gurung's cross. Fortunately for the hosts, Josimar could not capitalize.

Soon enough, Salgaocar made it 2-0 after Gnakpa made the best of goalkeeper Somnath Khara's decision to leave his crease. Khara fumbled and allowed Gnakpa a clear look at the goal for a two-goal lead in the 47th minute.

Augustine Fernandes headed Gilbert Oliveira's cross from the left in the 64th minute to seal all comeback routes for the visitors.