Lalitpur, December 17

CMG Club Sankata defeated NIBL Friends Club 3-1 to move up to the second position in the Pulsar Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the ANFA Complex grounds today.

Ellon Maxwell, Ernest Tampi and Dipesh Ale Magar scored one goal each for Sankata, while Prezen Tamang netted one for Friends. The victory meant Sankata moved to second behind Signature Manang Marshyangdi Club although both the teams have 24 points each.

Unbeaten MMC are at the top with 24 points from eight matches and they have plus-11 goal difference, while Sankata have played nine games and are behind with plus-eight goal difference. Ruslan Three Star Club, who have 21 points from eight matches and have plus-12 goal difference, are at the third position, ahead of Tribhuvan Army Club (17). Friends are at the 11th position with five points.

Maxwell put Sankata ahead in the 24th minute when he collected the flick pass from Cedric Aba before slotting home at a time when Friends goalkeeper was not at his usual position. Friends levelled the scores in the first half injury time. Tamang scored in a rebound from outside the penalty area after Sankata failed to clear the ball properly on a corner kick.

Sankata restored the lead in the 54th minute when Tampi headed home following a corner kick from Laxman Ruchal. Sankata extended the lead three minutes through Ale Mahar’s goal. Cedric Aba took a quick corner and passed the ball to Ruchal, who set it for Ale Magar inside the six-yard box.

In another match, Himalayan Sherpa defeated New Road Team 1-0. Bishwas Shrestha scored the solitary goal of the match moments before the first half whistle to record his team’s fourth victory in the league.

After missing a chance minutes earlier, Shrestha found the back of the nets on his solo effort. He dodged as many as two defenders before slotting past NRT goalkeeper Ajit Prajapati.

The victory sent Sherpa to sixth position with 14 points, behind Nepal Police Club on inferior goal difference. NRT are at the bottom of the 14-team table with just one point following their eighth straight defeat. NRT are yet to earn a point since playing a 2-2 draw against Tribhuvan Army Club in the first match of the league.

Elsewhere, GrandMaster Jawalakhel Youth Club played a goalless draw with Saraswoti Youth Club. Both the teams created a couple of chances but no one could find the back of the nets. Victor Amobi of Saraswoti struck against the post in the fourth minute, while Saraswoti goalkeeper Pradip Bhandari saved a goal-bound free kick from JYC’s Lawal in the 20th minute.

With the draw, Saraswoti accumulated 10 points from nine matches and are at the ninth position in the 14-team table, while JYC are next with eight points following their second stalemate.