Ruthless Friends Club crushed sloppy Himalayan Sherpa 6-0 to move out of the relegation zone in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday.

Church Boys United and Three Star Club shared points after playing for a goalless draw at the Chyasal Stadium.

Rafiq Aminu scored a brace, while Akhrorbek Uktamov, Amit Tamang, Uttam Rai and Torric Jebrin also found the target for Friends.

Sherpa were the clear favourites against a Kupandole-based side that were reeling at the bottom of the table after managing just one win in eight league matches this season.

But it were Friends who showed a must-have killer instinct from the very start and sent a warning in the 3rd minute when Laxman Ruchal found Aminu with a long defence-splitting pass and the Ghana striker poked past Sherpa goalkeeper Kishor Giri with a one-touch finish.

Sherpa captain Biswash Shrestha almost found the equaliser in the 26th minute when he pounced on a defensive error from Dona Thapa to curl a shot but the ball missed the target by an inch.

Sherpa never paid heed to the early alarm and lacked organisation in the back line and Uktamov took full advantage of the sluggish defence to double the lead in the 32nd minute, heading in a cross from Prakash Budhathoki.

Aminu stretched the advantage in the 38th minute.

The Ghanaian sprinted past cat-napping defenders from the mid-area and fired from distance, giving Giri absolutely no chance.

Tamang made the score 4-0 from the spot kick after Sanjeet Rai fouled Jebrin inside the area.

Rai then showed his cool and composure to add the fifth goal in the 72nd minute, driving a low ball past Giri into the near post after a good work from Jebrin.

Jebrin killed off the game with a solo effort in the sixth minute of the second half injury time. He cut inside and slammed from the edge of the area for a masterclass finish.

The win moved Friends out of the relegation zone to the 12th position, one point above New Road Team in the 13th and three points off the bottom-placed Nepal Police Club.

Sherpa stay in the ninth position with nine points.

-Sixth straight draw-

Both Three Star and CBU arrived at Chyasal with their eyes on the top position but instead, played for a goalless stalemate in a match with few chances.

CBU were also looking to end their run of five consecutive draws that came after three straight wins in their first three matches but they still lacked the cutting edge.

Arik Bista tested Three Star goalkeeper Taha Mohamad from a freekick in the 24th minute.

Ashish Chapagain had a golden opportunity to put CBU in front in the 36th minute when he intercepted a poor pass from Nigerian centre-back Peter Segun but ended up firing wide.

Ananta Tamang forced Mohamad to make a save with a long-range effort near the end of the first half.

The newcomers continued the pressure after the restart as well against a toothless Three Star, but could not find the winner.

CBU climbed to third position, but are level on 15 points with Manang Marshyangdi Club, Sankata Club and Three Star Club؅—just two points adrift of the pacesetters Jawalakhel Youth Club and Satdobato Youth Club in a tight top-of-table race.

Three Star sit in the sixth spot.