Substitute Binod Rai scored a hat-trick for Boys Union Club as they registered a resounding 4-0 victory over Jhamsikhel Youth Club to climb fourth in the Martyrs Memorial 'B' Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato, on Thursday.

Striker Rai who came as 61st minute replacement of Bartaman Rai, opened his scoring three minutes after his entry into the game to add a second goal for the team. Skipper Tanka Bahadur Singdan had put Boys Union ahead in the 26th minute. Rai netted two other goals in the stoppage time to complete the hat-trick.

With the win, Boys Union leapfrogged three spots to fourth with 11 points after the seventh match. They trail joint leaders Satdobato Youth Club and Khumaltar Youth Club by five points, with both sides having a match advantage over Boys Union. Jhamsikhel are languishing at ninth place with six points.

Boys Union coach Sagar Ghimire and Jhamsikhel coach Purusottam Thapa both admitted that their team lacked match fitness due to a long break owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. "We converted scoring opportunities. Our players' fitness level will gradually improve in upcoming matches," said Ghimire.

Jhamsikhel coach Thapa lamented that his side failed to create chances. "They had chances and they converted them but we lacked edge upfront," said Thapa.

In the early kickoff, 10-man Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) edged Nayabasti Youth Club 4-2 to climb sixth in the standings.

Ajit Gurung, who struck twice for RCT, opened the scoring early in the sixth minute converting from the spot for a foul inside the area.

Ganesh Hamal restored the parity for Nayabasti in the 19th minute before they made 2-1 five minutes into the second half through Sachu Gurung.

Suren Khawas hit the equaliser for RCT in the 66th and two minutes later they were down to 10-man after Ashis Chapagain was sent off for a foul on Basanta Ojha.

Bishwo Thapa restored RCT lead in the 83rd minute and Ajit Gurung sealed the victory adding another two minutes later with his second individual goal.

With the second victory in the seventh match, RCT earned nine points and moved to sixth place while Nayabasti are fifth with 11 points.