Vasco edge past JCT

Formidable Vasco Sports Club, Goa, hung on to a first half goal to prevail over JCT Mills, Phagwara, in a National Football League match at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Friday.

The victory saw the Goans move to third place in the 12-team league, with eight points from four matches, and maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament.

The all-important goal came in the 21st minute of the first half through striker Peter Rodrigues, who headed into the net following a flag kick by Awazebek Khoshimov.

For JCT, it was their second consecutive defeat after two draws. They have two points.

Vasco held a slight edge in the first half. They attacked vigorously and could have consolidated their lead in the 35th minute when medio Gregory Clark, from the right flank, sent a volley to striker Edson Wanderley, whose header hit the goal post and rebounded towards Rodrigues. Rodrigues in turn headed the ball goalwards, but it was timely intercepted by JCT defender Ranjit Singh and cleared to safety.

JCT came up with a good move in the 37th minute and could have restored parity but Vasco's goalkeeper Rogerio Ramos brought off a fine save off a shot from Hardip Gill from the top of the box.

After the change of ends JCT played with renewed vigour and made a desperate attempt for the equaliser with couple of good moves, but in vain.

In the 79th minute Hardip Gill, after collecting a well-measured pass from Jaswant Singh, unleashed a full-blooded shot but it sailed over the bar.

Then, in the 89th minute, JCT were further frustrated when Gill, after receiving the ball from Ram Pal, dribbled past the entire Vasco defence and ran down the danger zone but the Vasco goalkeeper stood like a rock.

UNI