Shillong, Oct 28: Shillong Lajong didn’t display their best performance but still beat Nongrim Hills 1-0 in the Shillong Premier League at the JN Stadium here today to move top of the table.
In the first leg Lajong had won a tempestuous match 3-1 on 28th August.
Today Naorem Mahesh Singh gave Lajong the lead in the 31st minute and SLFC held onto it until the end.
Naorem hit the woodwork twice in the match, in the eighth and 82nd minutes but crucially found the mark in between for the lone goal of the match. It cam about after Phrangki Buam broke forward and crossed for Naorem, who right-footed the ball past Nongrim’s second-choice goalkeeper Mebanrilang Suchiang.
Nongrim actually had more shots on target in the game, but most of theirs were rather tame and didn’t trouble Neithovilie Chalieu. They came closest when substitute Alem Khongwir (who we haven’t seen in action for ages) broke up the right but his shot, while on target, left a lot to be desired.
Lajong were shaky when they had the ball and committed an extraordinary 29 fouls and copped five yellow cards.
Whatever the case, Lajong are back in the lead with 18 points, dropping Rangdajied United to 17. Nongrim stay fifth with nine points.
Tomorrow Rangdajied United are scheduled to face Laban at 2:45PM.
(TSR photo. Shillong Lajong are in red, Nongrim Hills in blue)