Shillong, Oct 20: It ended all square on Saturday night in the first draw of the OC Blue Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2024, with Nongrim Hills SC and Sawmer SC engaged in a thrilling 1-1 draw at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here.
Diego Khyriem (4′) netted first for Sawmer before Nongrim Hills equalised in the 74th minute. Rickyson Makdoh delivered a long ball that was deep enough to challenge Pyrshangbanbha Dkhar in the Sawmer goal. He could not quite latch on to the ball and it spilled over the line.
Diego bagged the early goal in a first half that was chock-full of action. A corner kick led to the ball being chipped towards goal and it came off the goalkeeper’s gloves and crossbar. Nongrim Hills’ defenders were not alive to this possibility and Diego had an easy tap-in off the rebound.
In the 35th minute Nongrim’s goalie Urbanity Makhroh was called on twice, first to parry away a Diego header from a free-kick before denying Shanmeiaki Warlarpih from close range.
In the last couple of minutes before the break, Nongrim had their best chances with a cheeky back-heel attempt from Bankyrshan Ryndong blocked and then a Babshemphang Kurbah header that was easily gathered by Pyrshangbanbha.
Urbanity was called on again at the start of the second half to make a double save and he was involved in a near-disaster for Nongrim Hills later when one of his defenders headed the ball back to him to collect. However, the goalkeeper did not know that was his team mate’s intention and it almost led to an own goal.
The goalie made up for his part in that mix-up by pulling off an excellent diving save to deny Sawmer’s Mebanjop Warjri in the 82nd minute.
The next OC Blue SPL 2024 matches will take place on October 23. At 2:30pm Nangkiew Irat SC will face Laitkor SC and this will be followed by Langsning FC versus Nongthymmai SC at 5:30pm.
