Dempo, Churchill, Sporting maintain lead

Panaji, Aug 16 (UNI) A fine brace by Nigerian Chidi Edeh guided Dempo Sport Club to a hard fought 3-2 victory over Salgaocar Sports Club in the Hutch Goa Professional Football League championship match played at the Duler ground, Mapusa today.

All the goals came in the first half. For Dempo, goals came through Chidi (2) and Nicholau Borgues (1), while Milagres Gonsalves and Badmus Babatunde scored for Salgaocar.

Salgaocar's second goal was a penalty goal when Dempo defender John Dias brought down Babatunde in the danger zone. The referee awarded the spot kick in favour of Salgaocar, and Babatunde himself converted the spot kick without any mistake.

With this win, Dempo took their points tally to seven from three outings, with two wins and a draw. Salgaocar remained on the same six points from two wins and a defeat.

Sporting Club de Goa and Churchill Brothers maintained their lead when both played a goaless draw and split points in the other tie played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. Both, increased their points tally to seven from as many outings.

Churchill Brothers could have won outright had they utilised the couple of gilt-edged opportunities before them, especially in the second half.

UNI