Shillong, Dec 6: Nongrim Hills SC and Nangkiew Irat SC both came from a goal down to defeat their respective opponents on what was a sensational day of comebacks in the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Nongrim Hills defeated Langsning FC 4-3 in the early kick-off before 10-man Nangkiew Irat took down Nongthymmai SC 4-2.
Alem Khongwir (3′), Mebanshan Suting (65′) and Glennys Lynrah (87′, 89′) scored for Nongrim Hills, the latter just seconds after coming on. Langsning’s scorers were Lamgougin Khongsai (13’), Daohipaia Rymbai (46’) and Enestar Malngiang (83’).
Both sides held the lead twice in the game but Nongrim Hills, crucially, were in front at the final whistle to take all 3 points. Nongrim Hills had not scored a single goal in their last three games but today produced four against a Langsning side that have only kept one clean sheet all season and who have conceded the most goals of any team.
Alem beat goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh to score early but Lamgougin struck the equaliser 10 minutes later. His first attempt was a long-range shot that nailed the crossbar and came back into play, allowing him a second bite, which he converted.
Less than a minute into the second half John Lalrinawma delivered a beautiful through ball for Daohipaia on the left flank to tap low into the net and that gave Langsning the lead. However, Mebanshan equalised for Nongrim Hills around 20 minutes later with a left-footer that lacked power but had the placement.
The last 10 minutes were hectic as could be with Enestar flicking a header from Roikhihbha Nongtdu to restore Langsning’s one goal lead. Soon after, Glennys turned the game on its head by scoring with a header less than 60 seconds after coming on as a substitute and he then netted in the 89th to give Nongrim Hills a memorable victory.
Later, Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw (54’, 80’) and Ronaldkydon L Nonglait (70’, 90’) scored for Nangkiew Irat, while Ronald Singh Shaikom (44’) and Sorokhaibam Meitei (61’) did so for Nongthymmai.
Ronald tapped home a low volley to give Nongthymmai the lead just before half time but a glaring mistake from Nitish Hazra in the second half saw the defender hit a free-kick straight to Nangkiew Irat’s Atlanson Kharmaw, who passed to Wallamsuk and he equalised with his first goal of the day.
Sorokhaibam then battled past his marker to restore Nongthymmai’s lead and they looked to have the game wrapped up after Restom Khriam was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving Nangkiew Irat with 10 men for the last 25 minutes.
However, even with the disadvantage in numbers Nangkiew Irat scored three goals. The last one saw Nongthymmai goalkeeper Akash Thapa come out and miss a clearance, leaving Ronaldkydon with the easy task of striking the ball into an empty net.
These results take Nangkiew Irat to third place in the standings with 12 points. There are now four clubs on 7 points each, from positions 6 through 9. Based on head-to-head results, Nongthymmai are at the top of these, followed by Nongrim Hills, Langsning and Laitkor SC.
The next matches in the OC Blue SPL 2024 will take place on Monday. Laitkor will face bottom side Ryntih FC at 11:30AM followed by Nangkiew Irat against Nongrim Hills at 2:30PM.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nongrim Hills in blue, Langsning in red)