Home city Pokhara's Sports Castle registered a crushing 12-1 victory over Lumbini Futsal of Rupandehi to climb on top of the 'A' Division National Futsal League standings while Machhindra Sky Goals of Kathmandu edged Futsal 5 of Dharan 7-3 at Pokhara Covered Hall on Saturday.

Hat-tricks each from national football team striker Bijay Gurung and Sumit Shrestha inspired Sports Castle, backed by loud home supporters, to a comprehensive win. Kishor Gurung struck twice for Sports Castle who went into the break with 5-0 lead. Captain Chhitij Gurung, Suren Budha Magar and Bhison Gurung also hit the targets. Sujan Thapa hit the consolation for Lumbini in the second half.

With the outcome, Sports Castle — the only unbeaten team in the 10-team contest — climbed on top of the standings with 10 points after three wins and a draw. They are one point ahead of second placed The Rising Club of Dharan. Lumbini Futsal are joint sixth with four points.

Sports Castle deputy coach Arwin Gurung owed the victory to unity and understanding among the teammates. "The match went as per our expectations and we will try to perform better in upcoming games," he said.

Lumbini coach Prajwol Shrestha said that a lack of fitness and tactical flaws condemned them to a big defeat. "We still have five matches to play and we hope for better performance in the upcoming games," he said.

In another fixture, captain Nirmal Gurung and Mison Lama struck twice each for Sky Goals while Sri Krishna Shrestha, Amit Tamang and Roshan Adhikar were also on scoresheet. Captain Sandip Karki scored a brace for Futsal 5 and Ranjit Gurung netted another.

With the second win, Sky goals leapfrogged to fourth place with six points while Futsal 5 are one spot below them with five points at the completion of the fourth round.

Sky goals coach Ramesh Sinkeman expressed satisfaction with his side's performance. "Two new additions in the team — one came after appearing in the 12th grade exam — made the difference for us. The players put up a confident show and teamwork," said Sinkeman, adding that they changed the whole set on Saturday giving rest to regular starters.