A hat-trick from Anjan Bista gave Church Boys United (CBU) 4-1 victory over New Road Team (NRT) as they moved three points clear atop the table in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League at Chyasal Stadium on Saturday.

The Nepali international struck a second half hat-trick after Sushil Shah broke the deadlock late in the first half. Dipesh Ale Magar hit back the consolation in the dying moments for NRT.

The seventh victory in the league lifted CBU on top of the table replacing Jawalakhel. CBU have 27 points and Jawalakhel 24 points after playing equal 15 games. NRT are 10th with 17 points in the 14-team contest, which will see bottom two sides relegated to second division.

Shah put CBU in the driving seat in the 40th minute with a free header to convert Kamal Shrestha corner. National team forward Bista doubled the advantage seven minutes into the second half after he headed from near post to turn in Shrestha’s corner.

Bista netted his second individual goal in the 61st after he beat an offside trap to collect a through pass from Sushil Shah and then dribbled past the goalie before beating Sanam Limbu with his low strike.

Bista completed his hat-trick in the 85th from the spot after teammate Gangadeep Singh’s strike landed at NRT captain Bikram Dhimal’s hand inside the box. He also became the first Nepali player to score a hat-trick in the current season of the league. Machhindra Club’s Olawale Afeez and FC Khumaltar’s Setpahne Binong are other players to net hat-trick in the season.

NRT hit back in the third minute of the six minute stoppage time when he back volleyed Kritish Ratna Chhunju’s corner from the tight angle.

Manang Marshyangdi Club and Satdobato Youth Club played to a 0-0 draw at the Dasharath Stadium while the late fixture between Three Star and Friends Club also ended at a goalless draw in the same venue.

MMC are eighth in the standings after their fifth draw. They are tied on 19 points with Nepal APF Club. Satdobato, who played their sixth draw, are fourth with 23 points.

Three Star are third in the standings and level on points with second-placed Jawalakhel on 24 points. But Three Star are behind their neighbours on head-to-head record. Friends climbed one spot up to 14th with 16 points in their kitty. They have lost seven matches, won four and drawn four.