High flying Satdobato Youth Club were brought down to earth by New Road Team. NRT inflicted the newcomers their maiden defeat in a 1-0 outcome and also pulled up their first victory in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League campaign. In another match on Saturday, champions Machhindra Club surged back on top after a 3-0 victory over Himalayan Sherpa Club.

Cameroonian forward Stephane Binong scored his maiden goal for NRT moments after the restart to end Satdobato's unbeaten run in the fourth match of the league campaign at the Dasharath Stadium.

Satdobato, overwhelmed by their 4-1 victory over APF FC in their last game, had vowed to fight to win all the remaining games. But they were given a reality check and dropped a spot down to fourth with seven points from four matches. A victory would have steered the newcomers on top of the table. The victory lifted NRT to joint fifth with five points.

Satdobato coach Meghraj KC said that his side failed to perform to their standard of the past matches. "We failed to match our own pace in the last three matches. NRT are a strong side and they should have scored more judging them on the basis of the opportunity they created," said KC, who also pointed out the need for more improvement in upcoming games.

In the late fixture, substitute Bimal Gharti Magar, marking his comeback after a year-long injury layoff, was the highlight as he struck the third goal for Machhindra to seal their comfortable win adding to the tally of Sunil Bal and Norlan Novruzov.

With the third win, Machhindra joined Manang Marshyangdi Club atop the standings with 10 points while Sherpa are languishing at joint 11th place with two points.

The champions came up with an attacking intent and created numerous chances. Novruzov smashed the woodwork in the early moments for Machhindra. They broke the deadlock in the 29th through Nepali international Bal who netted his third league goal to join Satdobato's Ajayi Martins as the top scorer. The winger gave a finishing touch at the open net as Nigerian defender Kareem Omolaja's long freekick sailed above onrushing Sherpa goalie Deep Karki inside the area.

They could have doubled the advantage moments later before Bal wasted a sitter inside the six-yard box as he failed to tap forward Manish Dangi's spectacular cross who laid it after dribbling past three defenders.

The star studded Machhindra held up their dominance after the restart and doubled the advantage in the 68th with Azerbaijan's Novruzov scoring a quick goal. He reacted quickly to convert midfielder Bishal Rai's corner after Sherpa's Suresh Kumal failed to clear the ball from a crowded zone.

Star forward Gharti Magar, who is struggling to get playing time and has not started a single match, netted in the second minute of the four-minute stoppage time. Gharti Magar applied a one-touch strike from the area in a cut back pass of Andreas Nia. Gharti Magar, the 74th minute replacement of Manish Dangi, has played only for 69 minutes in his three league appearances so far.

Machhindra coach Prabesh Kautwal was delighted with the victory over the opponents who he described as good. "They are a good side and they have played really well in the last three matches. We have never underestimated them and beating them by a three-goal margin is impressive," he said.

His Sherpa counterpart Yugal Kishor Rai said that conceding two early goals made life difficult for them. "We executed our plans but failed in scoring," he fumed.

In the early exchange, NRT kept Satdobato under pressure after the restart though they faced tough time before the break. NRT goalie Ajit Prajapati came to an early rescue to 0deny Niraj Chaudhary's header in captain Man Bahadur Tamang's cross. Satdobato's Akash Budha Magar ended up firing inches above the bar.

NRT replied a few minutes before break as Saroj Tamang's goal bound scorcher was defended by Peter Segun. They broke the deadlock in the very first minute of restart through Binong. The Cameroonian forward beat goalie Abishek Baral with his well placed strike from the area after he was set by compatriot Messouke Oloumou capitalising on a mispass by Karan Rawat.

Today's Fixture

Three Star Vs APF FC

Time: 16:45 NST

Venue: Dasharath Stadium