Kathmandu, January 24:

Yugal Kishor Rai completed a hat-trick as New Road Team (NRT) beat Machhindra Club 4-1 and extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miuguel ‘A’ Division League here today.

Doran Serchan struck twice in Jawalakhel Youth Club’s (JYC) 4-2 win over Brigade Boys Club (BBC) while Rishi Rai scored two and as Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) trounced Mahabir Club 4-0 in other matches.

Yugal opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a tight-angled shot before adding a spectacular goal in the 45th minute when his strike from the edge of the box left Machhindra goalkeeper Binod Dangol unmoved.

The combination of Kamal Bista, Sunil Subedi and Jeevan Sinkeman saw NRT extend their lead to 3-0 in the 50th minute as Sinkeman converted on Subedi’s head pass. A defensive blunder from Kamal Bista helped Bikash Subba pull one back for Machhindra in the 65th minute before Yugal sealed NRT’s win in the 90th minute.

NRT coach Raju Shakya said that his team was getting better every other day. “Still, I feel our weakness in the midfield.” Macchindra coach Diken Suwal also rued over their midfielder’s inability to supply balls.

Also at Dasharath Stadium, Doran Sherchan gave JYC an early lead on Abdul Gani Olawale’s pass in the fifth minute. Obagbimiro Junior levelled the scores in the 12th on his own rebound when his first attempt rebounded off JYC goalie Mohammed Nizamudin. JYC took lead just one minute later as Sunil Raut headed home on Sanoj Shrestha’s pass. Olawale then made it 3-1 in the 18th minute lofting over the head of BBC goalie Binod Gurung.

BBC stand-in skipper Aakash Chhantyal reduced the margin to 3-2 with a superb volley on a perfect pass from Junior in the 53rd minute. Doran restored the two-goal lead in the 73rd minute with a header on Jay Thapa’s free kick.

“We had been closely studying the game of our opponent, which was centred around one man, (Obagbemiro) Junior. So we did not let him pierce through,” said JUC coach Megh Raj KC. “We won as our strategy worked.”

BBC coach Suman Yonjon blamed his defence line for the loss. “Our defenders remained so isolated that everytime the ball came into our half, I feared of conceding a goal.”

At Halchowk, RCT found their form late but timely beating Mahabir 4-0. Rishi Rai scored in the 56th minute before Sudip Limbu doubled the lead in the 66th minute. Rai scored his secong goal nine minutes later and Sajan Shrestha put the issue beyond doubt in the 85th minute.

Today’s matches

At Dasharath Stadium

• MPC vs Friends’ @ 12:30 pm

• Three Star vs Bouddha @ 2:30 pm

At Halchowk Ground

• Army vs BUC @ 12:30 pm