Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) inched closer to the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League title with a scrappy 1-0 win over Nepal Police Club (NPC) at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Sunday.

With the 10th victory in as many games, the seven-time champion MMC moved five points clear at top of the standings with 30 points. A victory over second-placed Sankata Club in its next game on Thursday could secure title for MMC. NPC dropped one spot behind to sixth with 15 points.

“We are too close to lifting the title after the victory today,” MMC coach Suman Shrestha said. “We now look to finish the league winning all three remaining games. The whole team is focused to achieve that,” added Shrestha who is taking care of the top-tier team for the first time in his career.

Adelaja Somide separated the two teams as the Nigerian player struck the decisive goal in the 53rd minute. Somide beat an advancing NPC goalkeeper Arpan Karki in one-on-one encounter before firing in for a goal. The first half remained an evenly contested affair with both teams failing to create remarkable chances. Three minutes into the restart Nepali international winger Anjan Bista headed inches above bar from crowded area before Adelaja broke the deadlock. In the 54th minute NPC custodian Karki denied a close range strike from Adelaja.

The goal woke NPC from the slumber and intensified its pressure on MMC. Ajit Bhandari should have done better that to head straight into the hands of MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha in the 61st minute following a cross from Ravi Paswan. Abhishek Rijal also came close to scoring in the 68th minute only to see his tap in going just wide.

NPC could have levelled the scores in the 82nd minute but Bharat Shah blocked Ajit Bhandari’s tap in from goalline before defender Kamal Shrestha cleared the ball to safety. Despite all the NPC pressure MMC almost settle the nerves in the 87th minute only for NPC glovesman Karki to deny Bimal Rana’s close range attempt. NPC almost snatched a last-gasp equaliser when Dinesh Rajbanshi headed a Bhola Silwal freekick whiskers wide of the target.

NPC coach Ananta Raj Thapa blamed the inexperience of his players the reason for the defeat. “We conceded the goal due to defensive error. There was total lack of communication between the goalkeeper and defenders,” he said adding that his side gave a tough fight to one of the title contenders.

In the early match, Nepal APF Club stunned Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) 2-1. Forward Ashish Lama struck both the goals for APF before Nawayug Shrestha pulled one back late on. Lama broke the deadlock in the 57th minute dribbling past two Army defenders before applying close range finish. He doubled the tally in the 86th minute when he collected a Shyam Nepali pass, beat two defenders before firing past goalie Bikesh Kuthu. Nawayug Shrestha headed home a minute later but it was too late and too little to deny MMC all three points.

With the win, APF climbed four spots to fifth place with 16 points, two behind fourth-placed Army. The 11th round action resumes on Wednesday after two day’s rest.