Shillong, Sep 11: Nongkseh showed just how devastating they can be with a 7-1 demolition of Meghalaya Police in the Shillong Premier League at the SSA Stadium here today.
Hardy Cliff Nongbri (5’, 12’, 55’, 87’) delivered a captain’s performance with four goals – the first hat-trick of SPL 2026. This was also the biggest margin of victory this season.
Hardy scored twice early in the game as Nongskseh stamped their authority on the game from the start. Kitboklang Pale (42’) added another late in the first half and Nongkseh went into the break leading 3-0.
There was no respite for the police at the change of ends, however, as Hardy, Shano Tariang (61’) and substitute Aenam Jyrwa (65’) made the scoreline insurmountable.
Bisharlang Kharumnuid (78’) found the back of the net for MLP but that was a blip in an otherwise totally one-sided encounter. Hardy’s fourth goal was the icing on the cake and, with it, Nongkseh answered their critics in decisive fashion.
The last time these two sides met in a Shillong Sports Association match was in the title-decider of the First Division 2025. Nongkseh won that battle 1-0 to lift the trophy. As champions and runners-up, Nongkseh and MLP were promoted to this year’s SPL.
Although Nongkseh had gone on from the First Division to win the SSA Champions Cup and Meghalaya State League, they had a challenging start to SPL 2026. Before today they were in eighth position with just 4 points, while MLP were fourth with 7. Nongkseh had managed to score just two goals in four games, the lowest number of any team.
With this result, Nongkseh leapt up the points table. They, MLP and Nangkiew Irat all have 7 points each after five games played. Based on goal difference, Nongkseh (+5) are now fourth, Nangkiew Irat (-1) remain fifth but MLP (-5) drop two positions to sixth.
Tomorrow Shillong Lajong will face Sawmer at the new kick-off time of 3PM.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nongkseh’s Hardy Cliff Nongbri (second left) celebrates with team mates after scoring)
