SHILLONG: Smit held their nerve to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lawmali in their First Division football match at the JN Sports Complex, Polo, on Wednesday.
Smit took the game by the scruff of the neck, leading by two goals to nil at half time, but it did not take long for Lawmali to stage a comeback.
Sheen Sohktung and Sico Nonglait scored a goal each in the space of two minutes to bring Lawmali back into the game.
Elbenroy Mawthoh scored Smit’s first goal in just the 10th minute before Banlongkhraw Kharbyngar sent a shot into the net in the 21st to double the lead.
But the second half saw a turn of events when Sheen sent a ball past the keeper in the 55th minute.
Another goal for Lawmali barely a minute later levelled the scores.
Just as things were looking brighter for Lawmali, Banlongkhraw delivered the final blow by scoring the winning goal and his second of the match in the 81st minute.
Meanwhile, in a Second Division match played at Ground III, Laban displayed a show of dominance, beating Nongkseh 5-1.
Coached by Lajong’s Seibor Sana, Laban gave their best performance, scoring four goals in the second half.
The goal scorers were Henry Marboh (32nd minute), Lurshai Myrsing (57), Affordstar Nongrem (67), Redytone Nongbri (71) and Wando Shadap (75).
Vicky Syiemlieh scored the lone goal for Nongkseh in the 23rd minute, to give his side an early lead, which subsequently went in vain.