Felix Chimankwu starred with a brace in Churchill Brothers' 3-0 win over Chirag United in the 14th round of the ONGC I-League at Nehru Stadium in Margao on Saturday.
The Goan team, who led 2-0 at half time, scored through Ogba Kalu Nnanna (17th) and man-of-the-match Chimaokwu (44th, 69th minutes).
Churchill Brothers hardly felt the absence of their prolific striker Odafe Okolie as Bineesh Balan combined well with Chikmankwu upfront.
Nnanna controlled the midfield well and opened the score for his team in the 17th minute when he headed home a well directed pass by Khan Thang Paite from a flag kick.
Earlier, Chimankwu had the first chance to give the Goans an early lead but he ended in shooting straight at keeper Somnath Khara. However he made the amends and doubled his team's lead in the 44th minute with a curling shot from a free kick that hit the post before sneaking in.
Churchill Brothers continued to dictate terms after the change of ends and Chimankwu sealed the fate of Chirag United when he slotted home a low cross by Bineesh Balan who worked his way on the left flank getting the better of a couple of rival defenders.
Chirag United, who drew with Churchills in the first leg, failed to combine as a team with their midfield committing lot of errors which helped their rivals to probe the post on numerous occasion.
The only time they came close to scoring was in the first half when Bidemi Diniel Ayemi header hit the bar off a flag kick taken by Hardeep Singh.
The win takes Churchill Brothers' tally to 27 points, three points behind leaders Mohun Bagan and one point from second placed Sporting Clube De Goa.
Referee T Pradeep Kumar showed yellow card to Chirag United's Somnath Khara and Ogba Kalu Nnanna from the winning side.
© 2024 Rediff.com -