I-League: Neroca compound Shillong Lajong’s woes with 2-1 win

Subash Singh scored a late winner as Neroca FC piled more misery on Shillong Lajong with a 2-1 victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Sunday.

Felix Chidi headed home a Malemnganba Meitei cross in the 33^rd minute to break the deadlock before Phrangki Buam levelled the scores for Lajong four minutes after the break. Chidi was once again in action late into the contest when he found Subash with a lovely cross for the forward to head home and clinch all three points for his side.

The win helped Neroca jump to fifth in the table with eight points from six games, while Lajong – after their fifth defeat and six straight winless games – are placed at the 10^th position with four points from seven matches.

Neroca started well and could have scored early when Subash surged past two Lajong defenders and entered the box before chipping the ball over a rushing Neithovilie Chalieu but the ball hit the upright and returned to play.

Lajong, on the other, were struggling to get inside the opposition box in the early exchanges but found themselves on top in the 20^th minute when Buam found himself through on goal from a Lalawmpuia Hnamte pass but skied his effort. A minute later, Aryn Williams saw his 25-yard free-kick hit the crossbar before going out of play.

They were, however, made to pay for their sluggishness in front of goal when Chidi headed a Meitei cross into the net after Katsumi’s effort had been blocked.

But returning from the break, Lajong made amends and struck immediately with Buam receiving Mahesh Singh’s through ball before finding the right side of the net.

Despite the game still open, Neroca were the better side and should have taken the lead in the 80^th minute but Malemnganba Meitei failed to find the back of the net from close range.

He though breathed in relief two minutes later as Subash headed home Chidi’s cross from the left flank.

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