Machhindra Football  Club finally tasted first win in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League with an entertaining 4-2 drubbing of Saraswoti Youth Club at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Friday.

Bishal Rai, Vassadia Diamande, Anil Gurung and Bikash Rai scored for Machhindra to secure all three points in its 10th round game. Francis Okechukwu pulled one back for Saraswoti while another goal came courtesy an own goal from Sanjay Rajbahak. The result meant Machhindra rose one place up to 12th with six points, while Saraswoti retained its ninth place with 10 points.

Saraswoti took an early fourth minute lead thanks to an own goal from Rajbahak. Rajbahak inadvertently found his own net in an attempt to clear the ball to safety. Bishal Rai drew level for Machhindra in the 16th minute, heading home a cross from Vassadia Diamande. Diamande made it 2-1 for Machhindra scoring in a swift counter attack four minutes later and Anil Gurung added the third in the 25th minute. Gurung met a Bibek Pandit freekick inside the area to head home at the near post. The frenetic first half ended with Saraswoti scoring its second goal in the 38th minute. Okechukwu capitalised on a pass from Victor Amobi Ozoanibueze to pull his team within a goal of Machhindra.

The second half failed to produce thrill of the first and the only goal came for Machhindra in the injury time. Machhindra earned a penalty when Susan Lama brought down Khamir Glishan Kandangwa inside the area prompting referee Prajwol Chhetri to point towards the spot. Bikash Rai made no mistake in converting it.

Saraswoti coach Pradip Nepal blamed the defeat on his players’ inability to capitalise on chances that came its way in the first half. “Morale of our players nose-dived after break as they missed out too many scoring opportunities,” added Nepal. Machhindra coach Nishan Bhakta Shrestha praised his boys for playing their hearts out. “Despite coming into the game without a win, our players showed no sign of defeated mentality, which is really remarkable,” said Shrestha.

Another struggling side Friends Club also recorded its second win in the league, defeating Himalayan Sherpa Club 2-1 at the ANFA Complex. Sanjog Manandhar and Jivan Gurung struck for Friends while Goha Patrick scored for Himalayan Sherpa. Patrick scored for Himalayan Sherpa in the 27th minute but the lead lasted only for a minute as Maharjan equalised for Friends. Gurung then struck the winner two minutes from time. The result meant Himalayan remain in sixth position with 14 points,

while Friends rose one place up to 11th.

New Road Team’s (NRT) 2-1 win over Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) at the APF grounds in Halchowk summed up a good day for the struggling teams. Like Machhindra the victory was the first for NRT in 10 games. Despite the success NRT is still rooted at the bottom of the 14-team league with four points. JYC hold on to its 10th position with eight points, ahead of Friends Club only on goal difference.

Kouassi Didier Yoube provided NRT the 34th minute lead and Sushil Lama doubled its advantage scoring another in the 57th minute. Although Suman Dangol pulled one back for JYC two minutes later, it was as close as the Lalitpur-based outfit could come in the game.

Today’s Fixtures

Three Star vs Chyasal (1100 NST)

Sankata vs BBC (1430 NST)

(Venue: Halchowk)