Shillong, Jan 19: Shillong Lajong FC were frustrated by the posts yet again and lost to Churchill Brothers 2-0 in Goa today.
Monday Osagie and Britto were the goal scorers on the day, while new Lajong striker Saihou Jagne and young midfielder F Lalrohlua were denied by the uprights in the second half.
SLFC have been unlucky enough to hit the woodwork and see their shots stay out too many times in recent games for TSR to count and today was a continuation on the same theme.
The first goal in the 8th minute was a bit of a shocker, with Osagie producing a volley from just inside Lajong’s half that had the legs on it to loop high into the box. Perhaps unsighted, goalkeeper Phurba Tempa Lachenpa ineffectively swiped at it and was understandably embarrassed to see the ball trickle over the goal line.
Churchill created most of the attacking play in the first half, but failed to capitalise further, while the visitors were almost unable to get the ball into the final third of their opponents’ half.
The second part of the match, however, saw a different Lajong emerge from the dressing room. They were in the ascendant for the first 30 minutes after the restart, with Jagne smashing the ball into the upright from close range before Lalrohlua did the same later on from distance.
It seemed the right move then for Alison Kharsyntiew to make an aggressive change, bringing attacking midfielder Redeem Tlang on for defender Kenstar Kharshong.
However, disaster struck almost immediately as Britto was allowed to swan into a dangerous position just outside SLFC’s box with every defender hanging back and the Churchill player unleashed a terrific strike that Lachenpa could do nothing to halt in the 77th minute.
This was Lajong’s fifth defeat of the season and continues their poor scoring form; they have made just one goal in six games now. They next take on NEROCA away on 24th January. Churchill, meanwhile, are on the rise, thanks to seven points from their last three fixtures.
(Photo contributed by Shillong Lajong)
