By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: MLP FT rode on a scintillating performance from man-of-the-match Niwan-o-Ghatpoh hat-trick to deliver a knockout punch to the defending champs.
In what expected to be a gruelling encounter, it was MLP that had the flag flying high at the end.
Both teams began the match cautiously with respective midfields flirting with possession. In the 12th minute an RWFC attack down the left flank found Kima whose shot was thwarted and the rebound was sent over.
MLP immediately countered but having beaten the RWFC custodian, MLP somehow managed to blaze the ball over the post.
In the 19th minute, RWFC conceded a free kick just outside the box and that was enough to provide MLP the first goal via Niwan-o-Ghatpoh.
Not permitting RWFC to settle down, Niwan produced a gem of a goal 4 minutes later – racing solo down the left flank and from outside the box curling a shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 to MLP. RWFC laid siege to the MLP defence but missed a couple of sitters.
In the 31st minute a violent altercation saw RWFC’s defender Kareem and MLP keeper Allwyn Patwet dismissed, leaving both teams with 10 men on the field.
Immediately upon resumption, Niwan scored his third to seal the match for MLP and send them to second spot in the table.
