Ngwoke fires Churchill Brothers to win over NEROCA

NEROCA FC 1 (Suresh Meitei O.G. 90+1′)
Lost to
Churchill Brothers 3 (Momo Cisse 36′, Kenneth Ngwoke 40′, 76′)
Churchill Brothers missed out on another clean-sheet but snatched all available points against NEROCA FC, here at the Kalyani Stadium. A solid and steady performance by the Red Machines saw them hand the Orange Brigade their third successive defeat.
After a heavy defeat against Gokulam Kerala in their previous encounter, NEROCA made six changes to the side. However, there were still nervous moments minutes into the first half. Quan Gomes’ corner came straight to Momo Cisse. The defender’s header sailed over the bar. At the other end, Sergio Mendigutxia was causing trouble for the Churchill defence on several occasions.
Minutes past the midway point of the first half, Nora Fernandes almost gifted NEROCA a goal spilling the ball in his box. But the keeper was quick to recover before the Orange Brigade could cause any damage. Mendigutxia picked up an unnecessary booking for striking the ball towards goal after the referee had blown his whistle. Around the half-hour mark, Saurav Mandal was denied at the near-post by Prateek Singh.
NEROCA probed forward on multiple occasions as Churchill broke on the counter with Gnohere Krizo. The Ivorian nutmegged Ben Nash before he was brought down on the edge of the box by James Singh, who was tracking back at full speed. Cisse stood over the ball and was also involved in a small scrap with Olen Singh. The incident did not distract the Senegalese as he smashed the freekick home to give Churchill the lead.
Four minutes after the opener, Churchill added another goal to their tally. Gomes’ delivery from the corner came to Richard Costa. Costa’s effort was blocked on the line by Davis Kamanga and the rebound went directly to Kenneth Ngwoke as the Nigerian slotted it past the keeper and defenders to give his side a comfortable two-goal cushion at half-time. Two minutes from half-time, Mendigutxia could have pulled one back but the Spaniard’s header was saved superbly by Nora.
After the interval, NEROCA came out on the front-foot. A minute into the half, Mendigutxia tried to squeeze the ball into the goal with a side-footed shot that was saved comfortably by Nora again. Minutes later, Ngwoke fouled Kamanga as NEROCA were awarded a freekick in a good position. Kamanga struck it beautifully as the ball curled and dipped but only bounced off the crossbar and went out for a goal-kick.
Suresh Meitei was solid inside the Churchill box. However, it was Lamgoulen who popped up with a crucial intercepting header to deny Mendigutxia. Churchill Brothers were dealt an injury blow as Cisse was withdrawn minutes after the hour mark. Just when it looked like NEROCA would exploit a vulnerable Churchill defence, Mendigutxia limped off the pitch clutching his hamstring.
The Spaniard was replaced by Vicky Meitei with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Darker clouds accumulated in the NEROCA sky as they conceded again after Ngwoke bagged his second of the game in the most fortunate manner. Substitute Bryce Miranda played the striker in on goal as Olen Singh’s lunge pushed the ball onto the foot of Ngwoke and it rolled past the keeper into the back of the net as NEROCA were unable to find a glimmer of hope.
Churchill came into this game with only one clean sheet the entire season. Heading into stoppage time, the Red Machines were eager for a shutout. However, Vicky Meitei’s shot from the edge of the box picked up a nasty deflection off Suresh Meitei and crept into the goal as Churchill lost the clean-sheet but nabbed the victory.
The Red Machines stay third in the table, three clear of RoundGlass Punjab. NEROCA FC extended their winless streak to eight games and they will stay at the bottom of the table.
Credits: I-League Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Kickstart earns dominating win against Hans Women FC
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Transfer round-up: Naorem to ATK Mohun Bagan, Givson Singh to Chennaiyin FC
The January transfer window of the Indian football season is nearing its end. The winter transfer window is always an exciting time period in the Indian football season, with this…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Number 16 for Mumbai City FC as they beat Jamshedpur FC with a thrilling come back
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten streak in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to a record-breaking 16 games after an extraordinary comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Didn’t know what a passport was till my first India call-up: Sunita Munda
Hardly anyone was surprised when Sunita Munda was called for the National camp for the AFC U-14 regional championship in 2016. Even before turning 14, Munda had proved to be…
Playoffs snakes and ladders continues as Odisha FC drop out after losing to ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan moved back up into third place with a 2-0 victory over Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…