Tushal Youth Club saw off Madhyapur Youth Association 1-0 in the Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League at the ANFA complex in Satdobato on Tuesday.

The result did not change the Group ‘B’ standings as Tushal stayed the table toppers with 10 points out of four matches. Madhyapur are placed fourth in the six-team pool with six points from four games.

Tushal missed a few goal scoring opportunities in the first half. Alon Rai’s close range header of a Dipak Bhusal freekick from 35 yards out crashed into the pole in the seventh minute. In the 28th minute, Tushal’s Prakash Bhujel should had done better than just shooting off target from eight yards in a goalmouth scramble.

Just at the stroke of half-time, Tushal got the lead they were looking for as Alon Rai netted a penalty that was awarded after Sanish Tusuju tripped Rai, who was charging towards the goalkeeper Rijen Hekka. Madhyapur had a chance to slot in an equaliser in the 58th minute only for Tusuju’s attempt at goal from inside the area to sail high over the bar.  

Tushal could have extended their lead had Dipak Bhusal’s freekick twice found the back of the net. In the 63rd minute, the Tushal captain’s freekick from near the edge of the area after a handball from Bikesh Duwal rattled the upright. Twelve minutes later, Bhusal’s freekick from 30 yards just missed the goalkeeper Heka’s right pole.

Tushal could have settled the nerves in the 86th minute when Madhyapur’s Rajbahak shoved Dipak Bhusal in an attempt to win the ball in the midfield resulted in a freekick. Bhusan delivered the freekick straight into the area for Alon Rai to head towards goal but Madhyapur custodian Heka made a timely block to kept the score 1-0.

In another match, Jhamsikhel Youth Club laboured to a 2-1 win over Shree Kumari. Jhamsikhel went ahead with a Bhuwan Rai goal in the fifth minute. Shree Kumari equalised in the 49th minute and appeared to settle for a point until the 84th minute own goal from Yagya Pradhan handed Jhamsikhel the win. Jhamsikhel go level on seven points with Group ‘A’ leaders Satdobato, who have played a game less, while Shree Kumari fell one spot down to third with six points.