Churchill edge out JCT 4-3, Odafe is man of the match

Margao, Apr 7 (UNI) After being down by two goals, spirited Churchill Brothers came back strongly in the latter half to score four goals, which included a brace by man of the match Nigerin Odafe Okolie, to edge out JCT 4-3 and gained full points in their 12th round ONGC National Football League championship match at Nehru Stadium here today.

George Ekeh (78th minute), Odafe Okolie (82nd and 87th minutes) and substute Luis Martin (89th minute) scored for Churchill Brothers. Sunil Chhetri (42nd minute) and Edeh Chidi (68th and 83rd minutes) scored for the mill men.

With this win, Churchill Brothers increased their points tally to 16, while JCT remained on the same 15 points from as many matches.

Churchill, who had better share of exchanges in the first session, were not quick in grasping the advantages and wasted at least a couple of easy chances.

Churchill came with a good move as early as in the fifth minute when Vanlal Rova unleashed a shot which was smartly saved by JCT goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Then, in the 15th minute, George Ekeh's shot sailed over the bar off a free kick pass from Odafe Okolie.

In the 29th minute, Churchill missed another sitter when Rova sent a good pass in front of the goal to Odafe who only had to beat the goalkeeper. But, his shot went wide.

JCT had a chance to move ahead in the 36th minute had not Churchill goalkeeper Vinay Singh brought off a fine save off a shot taken by Chidi Edeh.

Churchill were further frustrated in the 39th minute when George Ekeh wasted an easy chance off a pass from Odafe.

The mill men shot into the lead in the 42nd minute through Sunil Chhetri who after collecting a pass from Renedy Singh, dodged past Churchill defender Varun Deep and also deceived goalkeeper Vinay Singh and shot into the net. At half time, JCT was leading 1-0.

Inspired by the lead, JCT continued to attack and could have increased their lead in the 53rd minute when Chhetri gave a pass to better-placed Edeh who, however, missed an open chance before him.

JCT consolidated their lead in the 68th minute through Chidi off a penalty awarded by referee Pradeep Kumar when Chedi was brought down by Churchill defender Varun Deep in the danger zone.

Chidi himself converted the spot kick correctly to make it 2-0.

Stung by the reverse, Churchill accelerated the pace of their game and came near scoring in the 73rd minute but George Ekeh's header sailed over the bar. Churchill reduced the margin in the 78th minute through George Ekeh off a well-measured pass from substitute Dannis Cabral. Ekeh made amends for his earlier lapse 2-1.

Churchill restored parity in the 82nd minute through Odafe off a free kick to make it 2-2. JCT increased the lead in the 83rd minute through Chidi off a pass from Jaswinder Singh to make it 3-2.

But, Churchill again levelled the score in the 87th minute through Odafe off a beautiful pass from George Ekeh to make it 3-3.

Churchill scored the victory goal in the 89th minute through substitute Luis Martin from close range to make it 4-3.

UNI