Khumaltar Youth Club dispatched Pulchowk Sports Club 3-1 in the Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League at the ANFA complex in Satdobato on Wednesday.

The victory means Khumaltar finally opened their account after three consecutive defeats and climbed one place up to fifth in Group ‘B’ standings. Pulchowk are placed third in the six-team pool with six points from four matches.

Pulchowk got on the scoresheet in the seventh minute after unmarked Tika Raj Gurung tapped in a simple goal of a Arjun Kumar Rana cross from the right wing. Pulchowk could have added more woes on Khumaltar in the ninth minute had goalkeeper Anish Shrestha not blocked Tika Raj Gurung’s attempt from eight yards out in one-on-one encounter.

In the 28th minute, Khumaltar’s Arun Shrestha made most out of the freekick that was awarded when Bishnu Ale Magar tripped Sabin KC at the edge of the area. Arun placed the ball nicely for Niran Shrestha to slam the volley into the net and make it 1-1. Pulchowk paid the price for not capitalizing on their goal scoring      chances. In the 30th minute, Tika Raj Gurung shot wide in what could have been a simple tap in for goal following a cross from Arjun Kumar Rana.

Two minutes later, Rana charged towards Khumaltar goal, rounded off the goalkeeper but his attempted cross to his teammate at the far side was timely intercepted by the custodian. Despite the Pulchowk pressure, Khumaltar had the opportunity to break free in the 36th minute only for Sabin KC to chip the ball wide of the far post in one-on-one with goalkeeper Rembo Kumar Chaudhary.

Khumaltar were more assertive in the second half. In the 47th minute, KC dribbled the ball and beat custodian Chaudhary but Rana arrived just in time to deflect the striker’s attempt on goal from a few yards from the post. Seven minutes later, Khumaltar took the lead after Ashik Pariyar found back of the net connecting a Sabin KC cross almost from a point blank range.

 Khumaltar should have added to their tally in the 72nd minute had not custodian Chaudhary punched KC’s shot in another one-on-one encounter. In the 84th minute, KC missed another scoring chance from inside the area as he mistimed his shot. Seven minutes later, KC finally hammered the final nail into the Pulchowk coffin slotting in a relatively straightforward chip in over goalkeeper Chaudhary after a through ball from Arun Shrestha.

Satdobato Youth Club and Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) played a drab goalless  draw in the second match of the day. The result did not change the Group ‘A’ standings as Satdobato still lead the table with eight points from four matches, while RCT retained fourth place with five points from four games.