SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC tamed a tried and tested Laitumkhrah SCC side in a high scoring Shillong Premier League match at the JN Stadium here on Friday.
Two goals each from Bekay Bawar and Loken Meitei ensured a crucial 5-4 win for the Royals who are now second only to Shillong Lajong FC in the points table.
The Royals started on a dominating note with Bekay netting the first of the five goals in the 17th minute. Vinici Darlong scored the second in the 37th minute. There was no let up in the intensity crossing over as Loken Meitei made it 3-1 for his side in the 47th minute. Bekay added another one to his tally in the 56th minute while Loken completed his brace in the 82nd minute. A dogged Laitumkhrah netted in the 35th, 78th, 80th and 90th minutes respectively to stay in the hunt till the end.
Earlier, the crowd was entertained by an action-packed first half which RWFC dominated in entirety barring the small period when Laitumkhrah scored against the run of play. The Royals began to push forward around the 15th minute controlling possession in the midfield and steadily building up from there. The efforts paid off a couple of minutes later with Bekay firing in a scorcher from outside the box. The Royals continued to dominate possession there on and at a time when they were going all guns blazing Laitumkhrah struck back against the run of play. A firm shot from close range saw Bishorjit Singh go down while making a brilliant save. However, before he could recover, Rungsing Muinoa scored of the rebound to make it 1-1.
Hardly had the Laitumkhrah celebrations died down, the Royals struck again, this time through a Vinici Darlong header which was placed to perfection. A well taken corner kick by Loken Meitei set up Vinici for the header.
The scores remained 2-1 at half time and crossing over it took Wahingdoh barely a minute to further extend the lead over their rivals. Loken Meitei made a good run from the left to fire it in from close range.
Ten minutes later Bekay found himself unmarked at the centre and made the best of it and breeze ahead. With only the rival custodian to beat, he skillfully guided the ball to the far right corner of the nets as the scoreboard read 4-1.
Just when the Royals looked all set to sail home, Laitumkhrah struck twice in a span of two minutes through Jessammy Tariang and Owolesho Abey threatening to turn the game on its head.
But the Royal juggernaut was not in a mood to stop. Loken made it 5-3 in the 82nd minute tapping the ball into the nets from close range. Though Laitumkhrah converted of a set piece from outside the box in the 90th minute it was too late in the day for them to snatch three points from the Royals.
Second Division match also saw seven goals scored as Nongumlong beat Umphrup 4-3. Werbor Daloi scored a brace (45, 58) for Nongumlong after Flemingstar Kharumnuid elevated Umphrup with a 26th minute lead. Umphrup then earned two penalties which were both converted by Shandorlang Nengnong in the 56th and 61st minutes. But Bantei Kharbudnah brought Nongumlong back in the game with an 88th minute strike while Distar Warkyllew finished the match with a 90th minute goal.
Madanrting and Lapalang drew 0-0 in a Third Division match while Krang and Lama Villa also drew 2-2 in another game.
