Churchill trounces Md Sporting 3-1, Odafe shines

Margao, Mar 8 (UNI) Churchill Brothers, after being down by a goal, rallied splendidly in the second half on the strength of a fine brace by Nigerian Odafe Okolie to humble Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 in their 8th round in the ONGC National Football League championship match here today.

For Churchill Brothers, Odafe Okolie scored in the 60th and 66th minutes while George Ekeh scored in the dying moments of the second half.

The lone goal for Mohammedan Sporting came through Subhasis Roy Chowdhury in the 20th minute.

With this win, Churchill Brothers took their points tally to 10 from eight outings with two wins, four draws and two losses.

Mohammedan Sporting remained at the bottom with 6 points from an equal number of outings.

In an evenly-balanced first half, play was restricted to midfield for the major part.

Churchill came with the first good move in the 10th minute of the first half when Odafe Okolie passed to George Ekeh who, in turn, switched the ball to Drupesh Dessai. But, Drupesh's powerpacked shot crashed into the frame work and went wide.

Mohammedan Sporting drew the first blood in the 20th minute through Subhasis Roy Chowdhury whose volley from close range found the net following a flag kick taken by Jatin Singh Bhist.

Stung by the goal, Churchill regrouped themselves well in the second session and made a splendid attack on the Mohammedan citadel in the 55th minute. D Raju, after receiving a floating cross pass from Naoba Singh, took a power-packed header from the top of the box which hit the cross bar and rebounded into play.

Churchill restored parity in the 60th minute through Odafe Okolie whose power-packed 30-yard carpet drive shot went straight into the nets. It was a good pass from Naoba Singh. 1-1.

Inspired by the equaliser, Churchill accelerated the pace of their game and increased the lead in the 66th minute, again through Odafe Okolie off a flag kick taken by D Raju. 2-1.

Churchill's Liberian forward George Ekeh sealed the fate of Mohammedan Sporting by scoring the third goal for his side in the dying minutes of the second half, off a well-measured pass from Rooque Barreto. 3-1.

Churchill had the upper hand throughout the second half and could have won by a much bigger margin had they utilised some of the chances before them. Odafe Okolie was adjdudged the ''man of the match''.

UNI