Shillong, Jun 15: The Shillong Sports Association’s 2025 football season began with a rollicking match that saw Golflink SC come from behind to defeat Thynroit 4-3 in Group A of the U-20 Fourth Division at the SSA Stadium at First Ground here yesterday.
The Fourth Division is the lowest rung in the SSA’s men’s football pyramid but the two teams certainly delivered entertaining football. Thynroit held the lead on three separate occasions, with Golflink equalising every time before snatching the win at the very end.
Fairlyway Nongspung (10′) headed in a corner for the opening goal of the season, while Golflink scuffed their first real opportunity by blazing a penalty over the crossbar. They were able to equalise not too long after, though, when Banteilang Wahlang (32′) took a free-kick that hit the woodwork and then rebounded off the Thynroit goalkeeper before going into the net.
Parity would only last three minutes, however, as Fairlyway (35′) got his second. A long free-kick bounced in front of the unsighted Golflink goalie, who parried the ball with his outstretched glove. A Thynroit player then overran the ball but team mate Fairlyway was close at hand to tap it in.
Thynroit carried the 2-1 lead to the half time whistle. Set-pieces continued to deliver goals in the second half of the 80-minute match, with Ridonroy Laloo (56′) rising above the rest to head home a corner kick for Golflink.
But, once again, Thynroit quickly retook the lead, courtesy Melijohn Sohtun (57′). Fed a through ball by his captain, he neatly guided his shot from a little inside the box past the advancing goalkeeper.
The see-saw match saw Golflink equalise in the 68th minute with a scintillating volley by Ribanshan Wahlang, who set himself up nicely to swing through the high ball, which came to him after a defender blocked a cross into the box.
The last few minutes were played under floodlights. Thynroit had a couple of chances to get in front again but these came to nothing. Instead, with the very last play of the match, Mebanaibor Nongkhlaw (80’+2) headed in a corner at the far post for Golflink to give them a memorable victory and start the SSA’s football season on a high.
Earlier, the honour of opening the 2025 season was given to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. In a brief speech, he announced that he will be supporting the SSA for its various leagues this year with Rs 30 lakh, which is an increase on last year’s funding.
The CM also met the players from all the participating Fourth Division teams and presented mementos from the SSA to two female match officials – Lucky Merry Lyngdoh and Batbitbha Bareh – on qualifying as national referees.
Monday’s fixtures:
Mawshbuit vs Risa Colony, Group A, 1:30PM
Them Rangshken vs Mawlyngad, Group B, 4:15PM
(TSR photo. Thynroit in red, Golflink in white)
