YC Manora edge Calangute Association for first win

NT NETWORK

Mapusa

Youth Club of Manora edged past Calangute Association 2-1 to record their first win in the GFA’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday.

Nicholas Fernandes (33’) and Jeh Williamson (73’) scored a goal each while Rohan Pednekar pulled a goal back for Calangute side in the 75th minute. Manora had their man Clive Colaco sent off late in the game.

Calangute dominated the game and had plenty of chances in the opening minutes of the game but Kouame Junior, Mark Junior and Dominic were wasteful.

Then it was Chaitan Dabholkar who saw his effort missed the mark. Nothing was going right for Calangute Association as they just couldn’t keep their composure in front of the goal despite maintaining maximum possession and creating many chances.

However, Manora scored from a set-piece. Nicholas Fernandes curled in a fine freekick from a 25-yard to stun keeper Jeet Gupta.

Just before the breather, Nicholas saw another of his attempt saved by Jeet. This time the keeper didn’t have to do much as it was straight to him.

Calangute had the best opportunity to restore parity just after restart when Kouame Junior headed the ball towards Daryl Costa, which Joywin Carneiro missed to clear. Through on goal, Costa did everything right, only to fire a weak shot which was easily dealt by experienced Luis Barreto.

Calangute kept missing chances like and this time it was Kouame Junior, who had just the keeper at his sight, but his shot found the advertising board.

Manora doubled the lead in the 73rd minute and it was a brilliant play from the South Goa team. Aniston cracked the rival defence with a teasing through to Jeh Williamson whose first touch was good enough to get the desired frame and he shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Calangute pulled a goal back in the 75th minute through Rohan Pednekar to reduce the deficit. Fulganco Cardozo whipped in a cross from the left to Kouame Junior who missed time the jump however the ball bounced to Rohan, who nodded home from close to make it 1-2.

Manora were reduced to 10 men when Clive Colaco was shown a second yellow for unsporting behaviour inside the box. With an indirect freekick inside the box, Calangute player Sidharth’s shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper Barreto.