Nigerian duo Peter Segun and Somide Oluwawunmi Adelaja were on the scoresheet alongside Nepal Under-19 captain Rejin Subba as star-studded Machhindra Club blanked Friends Club 3-0 to go top of the Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League on Wednesday.

In the match played at the Dashrath Stadium, Machhindra dominated proceedings against their opponents, who are still searching for a win in the competition, but wasted several opportunities in the first half itself. However, Segun broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a looping header that left Friends' custodian Dev Limbu standstill.

Somide doubled their lead shortly into the second half while Subba sealed the 3-0 win five minutes before the long whistle.

With the win, Machhindra are now level on six points with the defending champions Manang Marshyangdi but top the league table by virtue of the better goal difference. Manang, however, have a game in hand.

Friends coach Marcus Dantos was disappointed with his team’s performance, “We were playing against strong opponents and we just could not contain them.”

“My team has very young players. They will need time to grow and get better,” said the Brazilian who has also coached at the second division in Sweden as well as in his home country. “Even the Brazilian players failed to perform today. Each player has a responsibility, they must realise that and deliver,” Dantos added.

Prabesh Katuwal, Machhindra’s manager was content with the result, “I am very happy with the kind of football we played today.”

“Sujal is back playing for us and that adds value to the team,” said Katuwal while adding, “We have been maintaining good ball possession since the start of the league. But we are yet to find our best starting XI to convert most of the chances we have been creating.”

Machhindra had earlier defeated Brigade Boys 2-0 and played out a 1-1 draw with Chyasal Youth Club. However, they were docked a point for finishing second from bottom in the league last season which did not have a provision of relegation.

Meanwhile, Junior Onguene Nikengue and Darsan Gurung scored a goal on either side of halftime as New Road Team beat Chyasal Youth Club 2-1 in the second match of the day.

Junior had put NRT ahead in the 23rd minute, heading in a corner after Chyasal custodian Alan Neupane punched away a freekick from Prakash Budhathoki.

NRT were reduced to 10 men after Jordan Jr Ndemba Owona was sent off after collecting his second yellow in the 74th minute. But Chyasal could not only take advantage of their numerical advantage, they conceded another goal. Gurung doubled NRT's lead with a solo effort four minutes from regulation time.

Shrestha pulled one back for Chyasal late in the additional time. Both NRT and Chyasal have four points from three matches.