Shillong, Jan 23: After two successive defeats, Laitkor SC gave their fans something to smile about as they demolished Nongthymmai SC 4-0 in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Thursday.
Rikmenlang Nongrum (3’), Risuk Malngiang (24’) and Sandy Kharkongor (37’) struck in the first half before Fridison Wanniang (62’) added another in the second.
The first leg meeting between these two sides ended 3-1 in Nongthymmai’s favour on November 4. Thursday’s victory takes Laitkor to 13 points and, with it, sixth place in the standings. Ninth-placed Nongthymmai remain in the relegation zone with 7 points. They have now conceded a whopping 20 goals in the last five matches alone.
The action began early with Rikmenlang heading in a cross just three minutes into the action. Nongthymmai got close to the goalmouth roughly 10 minutes later but despite their efforts they could not get the ball over the line, with Laitkor’s defenders making a desperate clearance in the nick of time.
Risuk scored later via a free-kick, which he aimed over the wall of Nongthymmai defenders. The ball struck the bar and bounced down over the line. The goalkeeper, Banshngainlang Masynting, hit his head in the attempt to save the shot and had to be substituted for regular goalie Akash Thapa.
The game was all but wrapped up before the half time whistle when a long ball into the Nongthymmai half saw a race between Sandy and Akash to try and get to it first. It was the Laitkor No. 10 who won and he lobbed the ball high. Everyone at the stadium had to wait a few seconds to see where the ball would come down and, luckily for Laitkor, it was into the back of the net.
Nongthymmai had their chances – despite only winning twice, their players manage to score quite regularly – but this time they were left utterly disappointed.
Eventually, Fridison scored the only goal of the second half by heading in a cross out of Akash’s reach. By this point the Laitkor bench was in a completely joyous mood as they were able to put two hard fought 1-0 losses to top sides Mawlai SC and Shillong Lajong FC behind them.
There will be two matches on Friday. At 11am Lajong will take on Sawmer SC and at 2:30pm it will be Mawlai against Ryntih FC. Coincidentally, Lajong and Mawlai had both beaten their respective opponents 4-1 in the first leg.
