Dempo S.C strikes late in the injury time to see off Kenkre FC

by Siddharth Yadav December 16, 2015

Peter Carvalho struck in the injury time to help Dempo S.C see off Kenkre FC 1-0 in the HERO I-League 2nd Division encounter at Cooperage Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Both the outfit took their time to settle in, but it was the visitors Dempo S.C who took the control of the game in the early stages of the match.

Dempo’s Ali Mohammad and Velito Cruz were having a fantastic game, the duo were linking up well which started causing Kenkre’s backline a potent threat.

On the half an hour mark, Dempo S.C were denied by the bar not once but twice in space of two seconds.

First Beevan Dmello’s powertul shot rattled the bar and luckily felt into Nickson Castanha’s way, whose diving header effort once again struck the bar to give Kenkre FC a huge sight of relief.

The last moments of the first-half saw the host trying to get an all important opener. Star striker Yao Bernard, his partner Egypsio Noronha and midfield engine Francisco Dominic tried to break Dempo’s rhythm but the visitors backline stood like a wall in front of Kenkre’s attacking spearheads.

Both the teams failed to break the deadlock and went into the break with score tied at 0-0.

The second-half was much more happening and lively than the first fourty five minutes.

With only six mintues into the second-half, Dempo came close to open the scoring when Aniston Fernandes’s corner was headed over the bar by Nickson Castanha.

Kenkre’s goalkeeper Riyas Purakkottakath had to deal with Dempo’s attackers quite often in the second-half.

Riyas denied Steven Fernandes’s left footed drive on the 58th minute and later saved Aniston Fernandes’s effort not once but twice.

Aniston Fernandes was a standout performer for Dempo as he was almost involved in all the vital moves of the three time I-League winners.

Kenkre’s coach Salim Pathan introduced their star winger Taha Kachwala on the 65th minute in place of Abuzar Beg.

The number 9 quickly settled in and started to create havoc from the right flank, which he is usually best at.

With 11 minutes left, Kenkre FC got the best opportunity of the match. Ivorian Yao Bernard got the ball possession on the halfway line, the striker ran his heart out towards the goal, dancing past two defenders the number 10 lashed a powerful shot which unfortunately sailed over the bar.

His teammate Taha Kachwala was making his impact on the game. He was pulled back by Velito Cruz, where the latter was booked for his needless action.

When the match was heading towards a draw, Dempo S.C finally hit the jackpot when Peter Carvalho volleyed home from the edge of the box to give the visitors an all important three points.