Second Division League 2017 NEROCA down Kenkre to consolidate position
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2017: NEROCA FC, Sangakpham consolidated its position atop the points table with a clinical finish against Kenkre FC, Mumbai in the fifth round of the Second Division League played under the aegis of the All India Football Federation at its home ground at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

The tournament started from April 7 and is played at home and away basis and with this win, NEROCA have won three matches and drawn two and are leading the table with 11 points.

NEROCA made their intentions clear from the first minute and dominated much of the proceedings, scoring the two goals in the first half in quick succession.

Second Division League 2017 NEROCA down Kenkre to consolidate position

From the early stage of the match, striker N Pritam and S Subash combined extremely well to pile the pressure on the defence line of Kenkre FC.

Combining well and relying on the long passes, NEROCA FC continued to make inroads into the territory of the rival team and off one such move, S Subash made a long run down the left flank and centred it precisely.

The ball went to a well placed Felix Odili who made no mistake in placing the ball past the outstretched hands of the custodian of Kenkre in the 30th minute and helped the home team take a well deserved lead.

The one goal lead did not lull the forward players of NEROCA as they continued to combine well and stretch the defence line of Kenkre.

Two minutes after the first goal, striker N Pritam neatly controlled the ball at the half line and managed to send a precise pass to the left flank where Ksh Malemnganba was well placed to fire a well directed lobbing shot that beat the custodian of Kenkre hands down and helped NE-ROCA take a two goal lead.

At the lemon break, NEROCA was comfortably leading by 2 goals to nil.

After the breather, Kenkre FC put more men in the attack and combined well to test the defence line of NEROCA.

The defence line of NEROCA however stood firm and custodian Lalit Thapa who also captained the side rose to the occasion to nullify all the attempts of Kenkre.

Patrick Mandal, Subarta Burman, Kounal Sarkar, and Ranjit Bakshi officiated the match as the centre referee, AR-1 and AR-2 respectively.