Jawalakhel Youth Club’s overseas players struck thrice including two stoppage time goals as they stunned record eight-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 3-0 to take a provisional lead in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League at Chyasal Stadium in Lalitpur on Saturday.

Lesotho forward Nkoto Masoabi struck twice and Guinean Fode Fofana added another for Jawalakhel, who opened a one point lead atop the standings winning their fifth game. They climbed three spots up to the summit on 17 points replacing Satdobato Youth Club (16 points), who have a match in hand, from the summit.

MMC, who succumbed to a second defeat of the season, dropped one spot to third and could have opened a two-point lead had they won the game.

The entertaining match saw Jawalakhel take the lead as early as in the fourth minute through Masoabi who opened scoring without much effort as the unmarked forward was allowed a free tapping inside the area to Sunil Khadka’s left flank cross.

Fofana doubled the advantage in the second minute of the seven-minute stoppage time with a header. Left unmarked inside the six-yard box, the Guinean headed to turn in substitute Samiraj Thokar’s cross.

Masoabi ensured the victory adding a third goal one minute before the final whistle to score his sixth goal of the league campaign. He made a perfect run to beat an offside trap and then goalie Deep Karki in one-on-one with his low strike.

Machhindra, NRT share spoils

Reigning champions Machhindra Club and New Road Team (NRT) shared points after a 1-1 draw at the Dasharath Stadium.

Machhindra’s forward Olawale Afeez, also the league’s highest scorer with eight goals under his belt, was sent off after seeing second red in the last moment of the game.

Stephane Junior hit back the equaliser for a wasteful NRT who came into the match searching for a second victory. But failure in converting chances meant they had to settle for a fourth draw. With the outcome, they remained steady in 12th position on seven points while Machhindra climbed two spots to sixth place on 13 points. They had won three and drawn four games among nine.

Machhindra took the 39th minute lead after Nigerian defender Omolaja Kareem applied a powerful volley from the arch of the area after teammate Prashant Awasthi’s header from the crowded zone landed toward him.

Cameroonian Junior restored the parity in the 67th when he rifled a low ball from 30-yard collecting a back pass from Nocolas Serge.

“We failed dearly in finishing and had to settle for draws in many games,” said NRT coach Raju Kaji Shakya at the post match conference. He was also critical to the referee's decision in the match.

Machhindra coach Kishor KC said that his side failed to play the beautiful football they wanted. “NRT played well in the first half. Both the sides had created chances but failed to utilise them,” KC said. “We came with a strategy of playing defensively strong in the second half and focused on counter attack, but we failed in it.”

In the day’s late fixture at the Dasharath Stadium, FC Khumaltar edged Tribhuvan Army Club 3-2 to register their third victory.

Khumaltar’s Cameroonian forward Messouke Oloumou struck two early goals in the seventh and 27th minute while Rejin Subba added third in the 52nd.