Margao: Ranty Martins scored a goal in each
half as Dempo defeated title holders Musli Power Churchill
Brothers 4-2 in the 17th round of the I-League here today.
Dempo, who dominated the match throughout, scored through
Ranty (27th, 62nd), Climax Lawerence (30th) and Joaquim
Abranches (73rd), while Churchill Brothers reduced the margin
through Felix Chimaokwu (38th) and Odafe Okolie (74th).
Dempo has played 17 matches so far and collected 32
points to remain at the top of the table, three points clear
of second placed Mahindra United, who have played one match
less than Dempo.
Churchil Bros, on the other hand, remained on 26 points
from their 17 outings.
Dempo played aggressively from the start and never felt
the pressure despite missing their key players.
They played with unison with quick short passes and kept
the rival defence under constant pressure.
Roberto Silva controlled the midfield along with
Climax Lawerence and got good support from Nicolau Borges and
Anthony Pereira in the flanks.
They kept the forwardline busy and had an early chance to
forge ahead but Ranty failed to guide the ball into the net
off a Joaquim Abranches cross.
Dempo went ahead in the 27th minute when Nicolau Borges
split the defence with a through pass to Ranty, who made no
mistake in slamming the ball past the helpless Churchill
goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, Climax increased the lead when he
placed the ball to the far end of net off a back pass from
Ranty.
Churchill fought back to reduce the margin in the 38th
minute through Chimaokwu, who headed home a rebound after
Lalrindika Ralte shot from a free kick hit crossbar.
Dempo continued to dictate terms in the second half
and Ranty swelled the lead in the 62nd minute.
Abranches pumped in another goal for Dempo, guiding home
a Ranty pass in the 73rd minute.
Churchill, however, reduced the margin in the next minute
through Okolie who scored from a goal mouth melee.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 22:48