Leaders Church Boys United (CBU) took a giant stride in their title ambition after a 3-0 victory over fellow contender Jawalakhel Youth Club in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League ending the latter’s title chase at the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday.

Nepal international Anjan Bista struck in the first half stoppage time before Aashish Chaudhary hit twice in the late second half as CBU extended their lead by five points atop the standings with only two rounds remaining.

Gearing up to become the first team after Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) to claim the elusive trophy in their top tier debut season, CBU now have 44 points. But the defending champions and second-placed Machhindra, who have played a game fewer, could trim down the lead to two points if they beat Nepal Police Club on Sunday.

Third-placed Jawalakhel, who were chasing their first league title, are now effectively out of the race with 37 points from 24 games.

The competitive game saw CBU take the lead moments before the first half whistle after Indian forward Ranjeet Pandre was brought down by Rahul Rahul inside the area prompting referee Prakash Nath Shrestha to point towards the spot. Bista stepped in to take the penalty only for Jawalakhel goalie Ishwar Gurung to block it. But the forward reacted quickly to slam in a semi-volley in the rebounder as they went into the break with a 1-0 cushion.

CBU doubled the advantage in the 88th with a well-placed header from Chaudhary at the far post from the area after he was allowed to turn in Kamal Shrestha’s cross. He then sealed the comprehensive victory in the second minute of the stoppage time with a low drive from close range after he found a ball cleared by goalie Gurung from the goalline in his bid to stop Erik Bista’s freekick just ahead from the corner flag.

Satdobato leapfrog in points table

At the early kickoff in Chyasal, Satdobato Youth Club edged Tribhuvan Army FC 2-1 to leapfrog four spots up in the standings.

Shiva Subedi gave an early, second-minute lead to Satdobato before Nepali international forward Nawayug Shrestha restored parity for the departmental side. He scored from the close range in the 29th minute capitalising on a rebound from goalie Abishek Baral after the shot-stopper blocked a penalty taken by the forward himself.

Satdobato players had protested against match referee Shyam Danuwar’s decision to award the spotkick which brought the game to standstill for more than five minutes. But Satdobato had the last laugh after forward Dipenk Raj Sing scored the second goal in the 63rd minute which turned out to be decisive.

The ninth victory of the season lifted Satdobato to fifth place on 32 points with two games to play before the league wraps up. Army, winless in the last three matches, dropped one spot below to seventh with 30 points.

Three Star survive scare

Substitute Sunil Tamang rescued a point for four-time top-tier league champions Three Star Club after a late goal earned them a 1-1 draw against APF FC at the early fixture in Dasharath Stadium.

Three Star, winless in the last 13 games and struggling to avoid relegation, are just three points adrift of the drop zone at 10th place with 28 points. Having earned just two points from the last six games, Three Star could drop further should Sankata Club or Friends Club, both of whom have a match advantage, win their next fixture. Bottom two teams at the end of the league will be relegated to the second division. APF remained unchanged in ninth place with 30 points.

APF broke the deadlock in the 23th minute with Mani Lami unleashing a 25-yard scorcher after a one-to-one exchange with captain Nabin Lama. Substitute Tamang, who replaced Aayus Shrestha in the 84th, hit back the equaliser two minutes after his entry when he semi-volleyed Yogesh Gurung’s pass from the crowded zone.