Odafe hat-trick in Churchill's 4-1 win

Vasco found Odafe Okolie too hot to handle as he scored a hat-trick to guide Churchill Brothers to a thumping 4-1 win in an ONGC I-League match at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.

Odafe scored in the 40th, 44th and 62th minutes while Felix Chimaokwu added another in 41st for the winners, who led 3-0 at half time.

Vasco, who had to defend their citadel for most of the first half, reduced the margin through substitute Agnelo Colaco.

Churchill, who notched up their third win on Saturday, have now collected 10 points from four matches while Vasco remained at the bottom with one point from five matches.

Vasco employed five men in the midfield to frustrate Churchill players and made some dangerous moves but were unable to penetrate into the rival defence.

Odafe, who was closely marked, fell back and played a pass to Felix Chimaokwu whose shot hit the bar.

Odafe again fed Chandam Singh who essayed a left footer which was tipped over by keeper Laxmikant Kattiman to frustrate Churchill attempt for an early goal.

Goalkeeper Laxmikant came to his side's rescue when he blocked Odafe shot twice.

Vasco, who withstood the pressure till then, finally succumbed in the 40th minute. Following a corner kick from the right, Zenith Genius floated the ball into the box for Gouramangi whose header hit the cross bar, and off the rebound Odafe, who was lurking around, tapped in.

 The goal opened the floodgate as Churchill Brothers scored two more goals within a span of four minutes to end the contest in their favour in the first half itself.

Odafe who scored the first goal had his hand in the second as he laid a square pass to Felix Chimaokwu after getting the better of defender Covan lawerence with goalkeeper out of his charge.

Felix, with no one to challenge, tapped the ball into the empty net in the 41st minute.

Three minutes later, Odafe who received a through pass from Vashum Reisangmi beat defender Yorkin Nazarov and onrushing keeper Laxmikant Kattimani before putting the ball in the net to give Churchill a 3-0 at half time.

Odafe continued to stamp his authority and scored the first hat-trick of the League with an angular drive off a pass from Naoba Singh to win the man of the match award.

Vasco, who put a semblance of fight in the second half, managed to reduce the margin in the 70th minute when substitute Agnelo Colaco shot from top of the box to give no chance to a diving keeper Arindam Bhattacharya.