By Salgaocar FC Media

GOA: Salgaocar FC’s colts notch up another stellar display to blank Sporting Clube de Goa courtesy 2 first half goals from Flester Gomes and Ruflan Fernandes in the U-18 I-League match played at the DYSA gound, Cuncolim.. With this win the Greens have six points from the 2 games whilst Sporting continue on one point.

The game was played at a brisk pace with Salgaocar controlling the midfield through captain Denil Rebello and Stephen Satardekar. On the other hand, Harshad Naik and Akhiraj Martins combined well upfront for the Flaming Orange. It was Sporting who created the first chance in the 10^th minute as Shawn Noronha played Daryl Costa through inside the box but the last named failed to find a decent cross.

It was then the turn of Salgaocar to attack as Ruflan let fly from distance but the ball sailed over. The Greens broke the deadlock in the 25^th minute as a free kick whipped in from the right by Sanson Pereira found an Lalit Tariyal at the far post. Lalit cushioned his header down for an umaked Flester Gomes to tap home. 5 minutes later Stephen found Ruflan at the top of the box who smartly cut his man but was tripped in the process. Sanson who stepped up to take the free kick saw his effort miss the target narrowly.

In the 33^rd minute Salgaocar doubled the lead as Lalit stole the ball around the centre line and made a strong run on the left. His smart ground ball saw Flester deflect the ball in the box for Ruflan who calmly slotted past an advancing Sherwin in the Sporting goal. The ball was mainly confined to the midfield for the remainder of the half.

After the change of ends, Sporting came out looking intent on finding a waay back but the Salgaocar defense held firm. In the 62^nd minute a smart 1-2 between Lalit and Stephen saw Lalit in a bit of space on the left, but his cross was well dealt with by the Sporting defense. Sporting did make a couple of substitutions thereafter hoping to turn the tide but there was just no way past the resolute Salgaocar defense.

With 10 minutes to go, Salgaocar could have had a third as a venomous free kick by Sanson crashed against the crossbar and sailed out. The last chance of the match fell to Sporting in the 92^nd minute but Dylan pulled off a smart reflex save off an attempt from substitute Delbert Fernandes. The Greens next take on Dempo SC on 10^th November at the same venue whilst Sporting take on SAI on the 6^th.