Late strike sees Churchill beat JCT

A last-minute goal by substitute Louis Martins guided Churchill Brothers to a 4-3 win over JCT in the IIth National Football League match played at Nehru stadium in Margao on Saturday.

Churchill Brothers, who had the lion share of exchanges throughout the match, scored through George Ekeh (78), Odfe Okolie (81th, 87th) and substitute Louis Martins (89th).

JCT scored through Sunil Chetri (43rd), Edeh Chidi (68th, 82nd).

The win took Churchill to fourth place with 16 points from 12 matches while JCT remained on 15 points from as many matches.

Churchill's Odafe Okolie was awarded the man of the match.

Churchill Brothers furstrated by too many draws, went into attacking mode from the start and dictated terms in the first half with strikers Ekeh and Okolie, who combined well created chances but were guilty of holding the ball more inside the box even as they squandered opportunities to score from close.

JCT, who came with occassional moves, caught the rival defence off guard, exploited the space to take the lead in the 42nd minute.

Seeing the defense moving, JCT Renedy Singh found plenty of space and sent a long lob to Chetri, who took defender Warun Deep in his stride and placed the ball past the rushing keeper Vinay Singh to find the far end of the net.

Chidi had two chances to increase the lead but first his shot was collected by the keeper. Later in the second half, he shot out from close with only keeper to beat off a pass by Sunil Chetri.

He made amends for his earlier lapses when he scored off a penalty. Referee T Pradeep Kumar awarded the penalty when defender Deep pushed Chidi as the striker was moving with the ball inside the box.

Churchill Brothers continued to hold the upper hand in the second half. Ekeh reduced the margin in the 78th minute when he controlled a long pass by Zenith Genius Mashangva before essaying a firm right footer that found the roof of the net.

Spurred by the success, Churchill Brothers pressed hard for the equalier and Okoli found the net off a free kick ro restore parity in the 81st minute.

Thereafter, the match was a keen tussle with Churchill Brothers doing the bulk of attacking, but were frustrated by some brilliant goalkeeping by Karanjit Singh.

Chidi again restored the lead for JCT when he beat couple of rival defender before sending a firm shot into the net, in the 82nd minute.

But Churchill did not lose hope as they kept on attacking and Okolie equalised in the 87th minute off a pass from George Okafe.

Churchill, who were denied two penalties, scored the winner in 89th minute when substitute Louis Martins off a pass by Deep.