Churchill secure last gasp draw
SHILLONG: Churchill Brothers made Shillong Lajong FC’s wait for a home victory continue on Monday, after Hugo Machado rescued the defending champions with a 90th minute goal to end their seventh round I-League match 2-2 at the JN Stadium, Polo.
Lajong have now played five matches at home, two of which ended in defeat, while three were draws.
The Reds have, crucially, had great success away, however, winning both of their games on opposition territory.
Churchill Brothers opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a freakish deflection from Bineesh Balan after a good low cross from Balwant Singh.
Both teams played attackingly thereafter and Lajong equalised in the 21st minute when Subash Singh was fouled in the penalty box.
Ongnam Milan Singh stepped up to take the shot and placed it comfortably to the left of the keeper.
The passionate crowd then erupted with joy after Uilliams Souza Silva gave SLFC the lead in the 34th minute.
Uilliams had to take the bulk of the responsibility in attack as Cornell Glen did not start the match due to injury.
The Brazilian made a sharp dash in the Churchill box from the right flank and, finding himself unguarded, unleashed a blinding left-footer that went low and beat the Goan team’s custodian, Arindam Bhattacharya.
Notably, this was also Uilliams’ first goal in Lajong colours.
The hosts continued to dominate possession into the second half, but their game appeared suddenly to dip after the hour mark.
By contrast, Churchill lifted themselves up and made numerous forays into Lajong’s half.
Machado looked dangerous all through the game and the midfielder would have been in contention for the Man-of-the-Match award, which, however, went to Uilliams.
Machado’s 20-yard shot in the 64th minute turned out to be the first real chance of the half as he forced Lajong’s keeper Vinay Singh to deny the equaliser at full stretch.
There were a couple of other openings for the visitors, but still, the Reds held them off and were on course for their first win at home until Wailadmi Passah launched a wild tackle, giving Churchill Brothers a free kick from merely five yards outside the box.
Machado took his chance and placed the ball perfectly, just wide enough of the defensive wall and far enough to beat Vinay.
The remaining minutes of stoppage time were played out with no clear cut chances and the match ended in a 2-2 draw, much to the disappointment of the home fans.
SLFC now have nine points from seven matches, placing them in sixth spot, tied with United SC, who are fifth thanks to a better goal difference.
Churchill Brothers remain in 12th place, now with three points to their name, but still searching for their first win of the season, which is now six matches old.