Shillong Premier League
By Our Reoprter
Shillong, March 30: A hat-trick by Andy Mawthoh, the first of the season, saw Ryntih SC hammer Nongthymmai SC 5-0 in their Shillong Premier League 2023 match at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Saturday.
Andy scored in the 25th, 64th and 68th minutes, with the other two goals provided by team mate Banehskhem Khongsdam (75’, 90’+4). This was the biggest win of the season so far and first time that Ryntih have kept a clean sheet.
This was the opening match of the third round and Ryntih were still looking for their first win after drawing with Mawlai SC in their opener before losing to Shillong Lajong FC earlier this week. Nongthymmai, meanwhile, had bagged 3 points against Nangkiew Irat SC on Monday. Nongthymmai looked to carry on with that momentum and had a few chances early on but only one of these was on target. Ryntih, on the other hand, started more slowly and things were relatively quiet at the other end. It was only from the 20th minute onwards that Ryntih started to apply consistent pressure in the opposing half. The first goal came about after Wanshan Dkhar laid the ball on for Andy, who took a surefooted shot into the top corner of the net, leaving no chance for Nongthymmai goalkeeper Senapati Mandal. There were further chances for Ryntih in the first half – Aatish Rai forced Senapati into a diving save but the goalie pushed the ball into the path of another Ryntih player but his header lacked power. Wanshan then produced a beautiful cross but Andy overran the ball slightly and could not pull off a shot. Banehskhem then had his first chance with a half decent shot pushed aside by Senapati. Ryntih continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, starting out with a Banmanroy Nongsiej shot low that the keeper had to dive full stretch to gather.
Andy then got his second goal in the 64th minute and netted his hat-trick four minutes later when Ryntih counterattacked and a long ball saw Andy alone with just one defender for company. He was able to get past him and then lob Senapati, who had come off his line.
Nongthymmai’s shoulders had fallen a little by this point and their attacks lacked bite and their passes were often inaccurate. A defensive lapse in the 75th minute saw Banehskhem capitalise on the opening and he added another deep in stoppage time following some neat one-two passing. Nongthymmai’s only real attempt during this period came a few minutes earlier when substitute Iohborlang Nonglyer attempted a hopeful long distance shot that was on target but easily punched away by Ryntih gloveman Dipanjan Debnath.
This smashing result takes Ryntih from sixth in the SPL 2023 points table up to third. They are tied with defending champions Mawlai on 4 points but have the better goal difference (+3 to +1), though Mawlai have a game in hand.
The next match will be between Mawlai and Sawmer SC on Monday at 3pm.