Sesa FA scored a hard-fought 1-0 win over Velsao SCC in the CAM Goa Professional League (Relegation league) at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Clencio scored the only goal of the game for Sesa in the second half.
Sesa FC had the first chance in the 5th minute but Clencio Pinto’s shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Velsao keeper Rahul. At the other end, Velsao came agonisingly close in the 13th minute but Shario Gomes saw his low effort hit the post and come back to play which was ultimately cleared by Sesa defender.
Velsao once again came close to scoring in the next minute when Velroy Carvalho leapt highest and connected brilliantly to a flag kick directing it in the frame, only to be denied by Myron Pereira off the line.
Velsao dominated the early minutes of the game creating numerous chances but couldn’t get past the Sesa keeper Roanal Gaunkar, who saved a couple of efforts. Later Romario Dcosta tried his luck from a distance but Roanal’s brilliance in goal kept the scores intact.
At the other end, Sesa’s Daniel Gomes missed a chance to score from a header. It was goalless at the break.
In the second half, Sesa came in with renewed ideas creating space and using the flanks for their attack. In the 50th minute, Mohammed Faheez danced his way past couple of rival defenders and was with just the keeper at his sight, but his shot was saved by Velsao keeper Rahul.
At the hour mark, Clencio Pinto finally broke the deadlock after heading in a M Faheez cross. The striker made amends for his earlier miss where he shot wide with just the keeper at his mercy.
Velsao missed the chance to equalise when a goalmouth melee beat the keeper and the ball nearly rolled in only to be cleared of the line by Myron. However the ball travelled to Velroy, who shot from outside the box and hit the post.
Velsao earned a couple of corners late in the game, however, they failed to make any use of it. There was a shout for a penalty when Velsao’s Imran went down in the box, but the referee showed no interest.
In the stoppage time, Sesa’s Roanal Gaunkar came with a brilliant save to deny Imran, whose powerful strike was punched out for a corner before ricocheting off the crossbar.
Meanwhile at Nagoa ground, Vasco SC defeated Panjim Footballers 2-0. Vasco SC scored in either half through Khrawkupar Tamu (43’) and first half substitute Savlon Fernandes, who scored in stoppage time (90+5).
By virtue of these results; Sesa FA now have 15 points from 12 games, while Vasco SC leapfrogged Guardian Angel moving to 9 points from 11 games. Guardian Angel SC are bottom of the table with 7 points having played 11 games. Panjim Footballers, who suffered a defeat on Friday stay on 11 points along with Velsao SCC, having played 12 games.