Satdobato Youth Club wrapped up their Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League campaign defeating already relegated Chyasal Youth Club 1-0 on Thursday.

Ajayi Martins’s goal in the first half sent the newcomers Satdobato up to third the league standings after playing all their 13 matches. They have 21 points.

But their position in the league is still in balance as they could be leapfrogged by either New Road Team (NRT) or Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), both of which are in the fourth and fifth positions respectively but have equal 20 points with a match in hand each.

NRT take on Nepal Police Club while MMC face an unbeaten Tribhuvan Army FC in their final fixtures. Army are in second position with 22 points.

Machhindra Club, who are 10 points clear at the top with still a game to play, have already defended the ‘A’ Division League crown—their only second trophy. The two-time champions meet APF FC in the league’s last kickoff.

It has been a memorable honeymoon for Satdobato, who ascended to the country’s top tier league for the first time in their history since their inception in 1998.

They recorded six wins and three draws this season, and victories over domestic giants Three Star Club and MMC and a draw against departmental side Army was the icing on the cake for the league debutants . Their four defeats came against NRT, Jawalakhel Youth Club, Himalayan Sherpa Machhindra.

And they concluded the league on a high note at the ANFA Complex.

Martins scored six minutes into the game utilising a clever through ball by Sudip Gurung that smashed the back of the net.

But for the former national football team captain Biraj Mahajran-led Chyasal, it has been a below par season as the doomed side, who were confirmed relegated before playing their two final matches, ended the league at the bottom of the table with only six points, managing just one win.

Friends and Sherpa share points

In the other fixture of the day at the Dasharath Stadium, Friends Club and Himalayan Sherpa Club played a 1-1 draw in a match that saw an own goal and dramatic ending.

Third-from-bottom Friends went ahead after 72 minutes when Sherpa defender Diwash Urau headed into his own post while clearing a free kick from Friends defender Ronell Anthony Paul.

But Bishon Gurung rescued a point for Sherpa a minute from time, sprinting to meet a deft pass from defender Jiwan Gurung before volleying into the bottom corner.

The draw means Sherpa stay 10th in the league with three wins and five draws. Friends, who have only two wins and played five draws, remained unchanged in the 12th position, three points above Brigade Boys. Brigade were the first team to be dropped to the ‘B’ Division League, with their relegation coming before playing their final two matches. Brigade play Police in their last match.

Today’s Fixtures

Jawalakhel Youth Club vs Sankata Club

Time: 13:00 NST

Venue: Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar

Brigade Boys vs Three Star

Time: 13:00

Venue: ANFA Complex, Satdobato