Goa: Goa’s Churchill Brothers FC registered their first win of the 12th Hero I-League season, with the help of a Willis Plaza hat-trick against Shillong Lajong at the Tilak Maidan on Thursday. Playing their first home game of the season, the Goan giants struck four against Shillong’s two to rise up the league standings to third place.
Captain Dawda Cessay scored the fourth for Churchill while for Shillong it was the two Samuels, captain Lalmuanpuia and Lyngdoh who got on the scoresheet.
Churchill’s Romanian coach Petre Gigiu opted to make three changes to the starting XI from the one which played in the previous game against Real Kashmir FC, one of them forced. First choice keeper James Kithan who had been sent off against Kashmir was replaced by Vicky Baskaran. Besides, midfielder Aniston Fernandes started his first game for Churchill this season. Jovel Martins also got another start and the players missing were Khalid Aucho and Nalappan Mohanraj, out injured.
For Shillong, Naorem Mahesh Singh, the man who had that wonderful double strike in their league opener, lost his place after some uninspiring displays. Sheen Stevenson was rewarded with a start by coach Alison, presumably for his role in the goal against Gokulam in the previous encounter.
In defence Kynsaillang Khongsit came in place of Kenstar Kharsong and they had a change in goal as well, with Phurba Lachempa replacing Neithovilie Chalieu. The home team dominated the proceedings throughout with 24 shots on goal against 10 for their opponents. Only eight of them were on target though.
Chennai aim to continue fine run Chennai have been the most impressive side of the league, notching up three wins out of four and remaining unbeaten with 10 points.
Former champions Aizawl, on the other hand, are yet to win a match and have crashed to two defeats and managed two draws in the four games they have played so far.
Gift Raikhan, the coach of the home side, who had such a wonderful run with debutants Neroca FC in the last edition, has found the going comparatively tough at Aizawl.
Aizawl’s three main goal scorers, scored just three goals among them, two of which came via the penalty spot.
Three of the four Aizawl goals, in this campaign, have come from set pieces, further indicating a complete lack of ideas up front.
