SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC walloped Umphrup 8-0 in their First Division match on Saturday, with Hardy Nongbri scoring a hat-trick.
Meanwhile, Shillong United failed to hold on to a solid two-goal lead before settling for a draw against last season’s Second Division winners Boys Sports Company in a thrilling contest.
Boys Sports made a remarkable comeback after trailing by two goals in the 19th minute to secure a 2-2 draw at the end of play.
For Shillong United, their two forwards Maitshaphrang and Eijingmut worked in tandem and created several scoring opportunities together but were let down by their team’s lacklustre defending.
Earlier, United opened their account in just the fifth minute after Maitshaphrang made a wonderful cross that allowed Eijingmut the right amount of space for a shot that was successfully converted.
In the 19th minute, Shillong United doubled their lead, this time Eijingmut sending in a cross for Maitshaphrang to fire one past the keeper.
However, Boys Sports did not appear to be too bothered by the lead as they scored two goals in quick succession.
The first goal came when Shillong United’s keeper Kennio failed to hold on to a long shot, allowing Bidyasagar Singh to tap the ball in.
United’s lapse in defence saw Boys Sports secure their second goal through Naowba Meetei in the 37th minute.
The draw leaves the top two First Division spots wide open with the main contenders being Shillong Lajong, Boys Sports and Shillong United.
In Saturday’s first match, Hardy scored goals for SLFC in the 29th, 53rd and 71st minutes while Shanbor Jyrwa, who scored the opening goal of the match (2), contributed another in the 12th minute.
Umphrup were no match for Lajong as the Reds manipulated their weaker opponents throughout.
Lajong’s other scorers were Redeem Tlang (43) and Thounaojam Singh (75) while Umphrup’s Shahbok scored an own goal in the 27th minute.