SHILLONG: Star striker Dipanda Dicka’s solitary goal gave Shillong Lajong their fourth home win on the trot as the hosts beat Churchill Brothers 1-0 in a seventh round Hero I-League match at the JN Stadium here on Sunday to go fourth in the standings for the first time in three seasons.
It was also Lajong’s first string of four consecutive Hero I-League victories in a single season.
Dicka struck in the 51st minute taking his tally to six goals and also ensuring that the Reds register their maiden victory over Churchill at home.
Sunday’s game was the most competitive of the lot for the hosts who had to put their best defensive foot out to restrict the dogged visitors. For Churchill Liberian Ghanefo Kromah looked dangerous on a few occasions but was unable to get a breakthrough.
The victory took Lajong to 12 points from 7 games with one more home to go against DSK Shivajians before they embark on the away matches once again. Churchill, meanwhile remain at 8th with 5 points and have a lot of catching up to do in the coming matches.
Earlier, the crowd swelled to over 10000 at the JN Stadium for the first time this season as Lajong braced up for the Goan challenge. The hosts started on a confident note dominating possession early on but Churchill were in no mood to hand over the advantage to their opponents.
The visitors got their first real chance in the 16th minute when Anthony Wolfe cleared Nim Tamang with ease upfront after receiving a long ball. But the Trinidad and Tobago striker’s shot went over the bar much to the dismay of coach Alfred Fernandes.
In the minutes to follow, Kromah looked dangerous at the front on at least two occasions, but lack of support spoiled his raids.
Post the half hour mark, Lajong once again secured firm control of the proceedings as Churchill were pushed to the back foot.
Dicka had a golden opportunity to convert in the 44th minute when Issac delivered a perfect cross inside but the off-balanced Cameroonian slammed the ball wide and way over from close range.
Barely four minutes into the second half Kromah squandered a golden chance to convert when after breezing out into the clear from the midfield he could not pierce a lonely Vishal Kaith at goalmouth. Vishal made a desperate dive on the right to deflect the ball out of danger.
Three minutes later it was Lajong’s turn to stamp their authority and it was the in-form Dicka who stepped in to make the difference. He slammed the ball at the back of the nets from inside after rival custodian Priyant K Singh failed to collect the ball on the second attempt. The late fumble allowed Dicka the chance to have a shot at the wide open target and he made no mistake.
Just three minutes later the Cameroonian had another chance when the ball was delivered to him in the box, but his sliding attempt to reach it pushed the ball wide of the upright.
Meanwhile, Vishal Kaith, the “hero of the match” kept the good work going in front of the woodwork when he negotiated another scorcher of a shot by Churchill’s Adil Ahmed Khan from very close range in the 67th minute.
Dicka almost scored another brace in the 80th but a brilliant save denied him the glory.
Despite continued attempts from both clubs, neither of which saw a reduction in their intensity over the course of the 90 minutes, no further goals were scored.
The Reds will next face DSK Shivajians at home on Saturday, February 11.
