MARGAO: St Anthony’s Colva made an early exit going down rather tamely 3-1 to Sarzora Sports Club in the Fraxier Trophy soccer tournament, organised by Young Strikers Club Benaulim, and played at St John Baptist grounds, Dando-Benaulim, here on Friday.

Colva were the overwhelming favourites to go through but the former winners made a sloppy start and that encouraged the youthful Sarzora side. Striker Jolex Fernandes who impressed throughout the match created the opening goal in the 11th minute when he found his strike partner Shridhar Dabale with a perfect through pass and the youngster made no mistake in lifting the ball over the advancing rival keeper Joao Falcao into the nylons.

Colva were stunned by the goal but seven minutes later the losers were in more trouble as wing back Myron Pereira’s free-kick found the rival defence napping and winger Noel Leitao darted in to push the ball into the net to give Sarzora a two-goal cushion. After resumption, Colva made a couple of changes and virtually camped in the Sarzora territory; but stoppers Antonio Dias and Adriano Fernandes staged a solid display in keeping the rival strikers away from the danger zone.

Colva maintaining the pressure, came close to reducing the margin but Ryan Fernandes shot wide from inside the box.

With Colva on the attack, Sarzora caught the rivals on the counter in the 48th minute with Jolex sprinting clear only to be obstructed by the rival keeper Joao at the expense of a free-kick. Joelex seeing an opportunity of the keeper being out of position, quickly shot the ball home to virtually seal the victory.

Colva got the consolation goal two minutes before the close through wing-back Antonio Monic following a pass by Nelson Gomes.