Churchill Brothers survive late Gokulam Kerala scare to extend lead atop table

KOLKATA: Churchill Brothers squeezed past a last-minute scare to beat 10-man Gokulam Kerala FC 3-2 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday. Hero of the Match Luka Majcen’s brace and Kingslee Fernandes’ goal helped Santiago Valera’s side extend their lead at the top of the Hero I-League standings to five points.

Gokulam Kerala made a dominant start to the game, and created a couple of chances in the opening three minutes, but Vincy Barretto and Philip Adjah were unable to get their shots away from inside the area.

Churchill custodian Shilton Paul had to be alert when Ubaid released Philip Adjah with a long kick forward, and the Ghanaian tried to sneak in his volley at the near post in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, Zuniga forced Gokulam Kerala’s keeper Ubaid into making a sharp save after he met Bryce Miranda’s cross at the far post.

Diawara seals victory: Papa Diawara’s 65th-minute header led RoundGlass Punjab FC to a narrow 1-0 win over NEROCA at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Monday as the Curtis Fleming coached side garnered three points to move to the second spot in the Hero I-League table. In a match largely dominated in terms of chances by their opponents NEROCA, Diawara’s ability in front of goal proved pivotal in RoundGlass Punjab FC’s win.

Aizawl victorious: Despite losing out on the race of the top half of the table, Aizawl FC picked up vital three points in the race to stay safe from relegation as Yan Law’s side defeated Chennai City FC 3-0 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Sunday. Goals by Lalmuanzova, Malsawmtluanga, and Lalremsanga led the Mizoram-based club to an easy win over their opponents, after Chennai’s Vladimir Molerovic missed a penalty in the second half.

TRAU in top 6: Tiddim Road Athletic Union edged past Sudeva Delhi FC 3-2, and sealed their spot in the top-six of the Hero I-League at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Sunday. Nandakumar Singh’s side came back twice from a goal down before finding the winner in the 82nd minute.

Manzi magic: Pedro Manzi’s brace — a long-range stunner, and a header — helped Mohammedan SC pull off a miracle as the Black Panthers inflicted Real Kashmir’s first defeat of the Hero I-League season, beating them 2-0 despite being down to 10 men at the VYBK Stadium on Sunday to book a top-six spot in the Hero I-League with 16 points from 10 matches.

After skipper Kingsley Eze was sent off in the first half, Pedro Manzi proved to be the trump card for Mohammedan as he scored two goals in the space of five minutes in the second half to lead the Black Panthers into top half qualification.

Despite dominating possession for much of the first half, a listless performance in the attacking department let Mohammedan SC down again, in the first half. Even new signing Pedro Manzi could not work his magic in a half where Mohammedan had almost 80 per cent ball possession. The Black Panthers could only muster half-chances and Vanlalbiaa Chhangte proved to be a live-wire in the final third. (AIFF Media Team)

Hero I-League 20-21 Points Table