Friends hold Three Star; Manang, Satdobato play goalless draw
LALITPUR, MAY 6
Anjan Bista scored a hat-trick as Church Boys United hammered New Road Team 4-1 and moved to the top of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League here at the Chyasal Stadium today.
Bista scored all three goals in the second half after Sushil Shah put United ahead before the break, while Dipesh Ale Magar scored the conversation goal for NRT. With their seventh win in 15 matches, newcomers United accumulate 27 points to climb up to the top of the table. NRT, who faced their sixth loss, remained at the 10th place with 17 points.
Shah opened the scoring with a header from close following a corner from Kamal Shrestha in the 40th minute.
Bista stole the show in the second half. The national team striker doubled United's tally in the 52nd minute when he headed home on Kamal Shrestha's corner.
Bista made it 3-0 in the 61st minute after he beat offside trap on a pass from Sushil Shah and shot past NRT goalkeeper Santosh Mahat. Bista completed his hat-trick from the spot after NRT defender Ajay Chaudhary handled the ball in an attempt to stop a shot from Gagan Deep Singh in the 85th minute.
Bista became the third player to score a treble in the ongoing league after Machhindra FC's Afeez Olawale Oladipo and FC Khumaltar's Stephen Samir DB Binong. Dipesh Ale Magar scored the consolation goal for NRT in the third minute of the injury time.
In another match, Royal Blue Satdobato Youth Club played a goalless draw with Manang Marshyangdi Club at the Dasharath Stadium. Satdobato remained at the fourth position with 23 points from 15 matches, while eight-time champions MMC are eighth on 19 points.
Also, Three Star Club missed a chance to go to second place after they settled for a 0-0 draw with Friends Club. With their sixth draw in 15 matches, Three Star remained at the third place, behind second-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club on head-to-head results after being tied on 24 points.
Friends moved out of the relegation zone with 16 points, pushing Sankata Club - who have 16 points from 14 matches - down to 13th in the 14- team table. Nepal Police Club are at the bottom with 15 points.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
