New Delhi: Churchill Brothers SC made Mahindra United pay for their first half missed chances as they thrashed the latter 3-1 in a 12th round I-League clash at the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai.
The Goan side have closed the gap at the top as they are now on 24 points, a just a point behind second placed Mohun Bagan. Mahindra continue to rot with 12 points.
The home side made one change in their starting line-up by including Debabrata Roy for Paresh Shivalkar. Churchill started with Odafa and Felix upfront with Vashum and Paite on the flanks.
The game was fast paced right from the start as both teams looked to seize the advantage. The seventh minute saw Sukhwinder win a ball in the middle third and pass it for Chidi whose final ball for Rafi was perfect until Govin Singh intervened.
Two minutes later. Douhou's ball from the middle for Rafi saw the striker get the better of Govin Singh but his final shot wasn't the most elegant one.
Steven Dias' lofted ball into the box saw Chidi chest but Churchill custodian Arindam Bhattacharya collected safely.
Kalu Nnanna sent in through ball for Odafa but the Nigerian was blocked from taking a shot. The ball went as far as Felix Chimaokwu whose left footer from the left saw Mahindra goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury pull off a brilliant save.
Steven Dias' released Chidi but the former Dempo striker took too long to strike which allowed Arindam Bhattacharya do enough to save his side from going down. Sukhwinder Singh's shot off the rebound was also punched by the Churchill custodian.
The 26th minute saw Naoba Singh loft the ball which left Justine Stephen out of position and allowed Felix to croos for Odafa only to be cleared by Ravanan.
Around the half hour mark, Krishnan Ajayan's pass saw Rafi beat the offside trap and find himself in a one-on-one position but his shot was saved by Arindam; much to the amazement of Mahindra players.
At the other end, Odafa's through ball had Felix almost unleash his shot from inside the box when Lamine Tamba made the crucial tackle.
Churchill brothers took the lead in the 39th minute when Felix Chimaokwu side stepped and beat goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury only to place it in an open net after Odafa had done well to find him.
The second session began with Mahindra showing more purpose and determination with Ajayan being involved in almost every move. Coach Derrick Pereira brought in N.P.Pradeep for Debabrata Roy in the 58th minute which saw Ajayan move to the left back slot.
Churchill made it 2-0 when Odafa Okolie added his name to the scoresheet. Two Mahindra defenders were with Odafa but while Lamine Tamba slipped, Ajayan couldn't enough to stop the Nigerian goal machine.
N.P.Pradeep's volley was saved by Arindam Bhattacharya in the 70th minute. The Indian international's throw-in saw Rafi's header at the near post being collected by Arindam.
The 82nd minute saw Odafa Okolie produce a moment of magic as he ran from almost the half-line with Lamine Tamba. The Senegalese defender pulled Odafa's shirt but the latter beat Subashish Chowdhury from a narrow angle.
Mahindra did manage to score a consolation goal through Douhou from a Rafi's cross a minute before the final whistle.
Goalscorers Churchill: Felix Chimaokwu (39th min) and Odafa Okolie
(63rd and 82nd min)
Goalscorer Mahindra: Douhou (89th min)
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