A penalty goal from captain Bishwash Shrestha gave Himalayan Sherpa Club a 1-0 victory over Satdobato Youth Club on Monday as they pulled their third victory in a row to climb fourth in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League.

Newcomers Satdobato were themselves to be blamed for the third defeat as they missed a fading moment penalty and failed to regain their early momentum in the league. Satdobato had earned seven points from the first three matches but managed just one point from the last four matches, losing three and drawing one. They sit eighth with as many points after the completion of the seventh round of the league.

Unlike Satdobato, Sherpa had managed just two points from the first four matches, but they leapfrogged in the standings after pulling third straight victory. They are tied on 11 points with fourth placed Tribhuvan Army Club.

Satdobato coach Suraj Maharjan, who appeared at the post match conference in the absence of head coach Meghraj KC, who’s mourning the death of his mother, rued on missing the penalty.

“We played well and could have leveled the scores if the penalty was converted. Nanga had made a good strike but the opponent goalie’s judgment was perfect,” said Maharjan.

In the drab affair, Sherpa forward Suresh Kumal’s feeble strike in the early moments was easily grabbed by goalie Abishek Bara. Satdobato replied through Man Bahadur Tamang before Sherpa’s Kenyan defender Mutamba Vunyoli headed to defend the ball flying towards the post.

Sherpa broke the deadlock at the stroke of halftime after Satdobato’s Nigerian defender Peter Segun brought down Tridev Gurung inside the area prompting match referee Prajwal Chhetri to point towards the spot. Captain Bishwash made sure that they walked away with a point, converting the penalty with his second goal of the league campaign.

In the second half stoppage time, Sherpa could have doubled their advantage but their Kenyan forward Vunyoli stumbled in a one-on-one situation with goalie Baral. Satdobato squandered an equalising opportunity in the fading moment when their Martin Nanga failed to convert a penalty as he was denied by Sherpa custodian Deep Karki. They were awarded the penalty after the Cameroonian midfielder fouled in the area.

Sherpa coach Yugal Kishor Rai said they had a tough time defending their lead. “The opponents played well and kept us under pressure,” said Rai, who also raised questions on the quality of the uneven ground surface of the Dasharath Stadium. “The clubs have made huge investments but the quality of the ground is really pathetic.”

The eighth round action of the league will begin on Friday.