Five-star Mariners propel to top of table

Mohun Bagan romped to an authoritative 5-0 win over Churchill Brothers FC Goa in their third game of Hero I-League campaign at the Barasat Stadium here on Sunday.

The Kolkata giants propel to the top of the table as Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka (34',46') scored a brace along with Kromah (23'), Shaikh Faiaz (48') and Sony Norde (84') who were also on the scoresheet for the Green and Maroons.

Shaikh Faiaz made his first start of the season after making two appearances coming from the bench in place of Naro Hari Shrestha. That was the only change Sanjoy Sen made from the 1-0 win in the Kolkata derby the previous weekend. In a 4-4-1-1 formation, Aser Dipanda led the line after being declared fit as Ansumana Kromah faced his former side just behind the striker.

Mykola Shevchenko made three changes from the 2-0 defeat at Shillong Lajong. Suraj Singh, Alber Gonsalves and Israil Gurung made way for Nicholas Fernandes, Joshuah Vaz and Uttam Rai.

The Mariners had a setback early in the game when Yuta Kinowaki was stretchered off with a suspected shoulder injury in the seventh minute itself. Shilton D'Silva was brought in to replace the Japanese midfielder.

That did not deter the plan of the hosts as they turned out to be the early aggressors as Sony Norde and Kromah sniffed out some half-chances although they had to wait until 23rd minute to break the deadlock.

Kromah opened the scoring against his former employers with a dangerous shot which Monday Osagie failed to clear after getting a pass from Shaikh Faiaz.

Dipanda opened his account at Mohun Bagan by doubling the lead past the half-hour mark. Kromah released the Cameroonian who left his markers for dead inside the box and drove in a precision left-footer into the corner of the net.

The former Shillong Lajong man then took only 24 seconds to bring up his brace after the game resumed post the breather. Faiaz's cross from the right side was slotted in by Dipanda into the near post after Churchill Brothers' defenders were caught napping.

Faiaz deservedly got a goal after assisting twice in the game and that came three minutes later. Monday Osagie was to blame as he let Kromah lose inside the box and the Liberian rounded off the 'keeper to send in the ball from near the byline where the former Mohammedan SC winger tapped in from the first touch.

Kromah and Sony continued to torment the Churchill defence who were irritated and helped themselves to four unnecessary bookings in the game. Sony Norde had an injury scare but shrugged off and continued to play in pain.

His brevity was awarded when he scored the fifth of his side. After getting a pass from Dipanda in the midfield, the Haitian sprinted good 40 yards, cutting in from the left, let loose a dangerous shot from the edge of the box which goalkeeper James Kithan did not get anywhere near of.

With the commanding five-nil victory, Sanjoy Sen's side sit pretty at the top of the table with seven points from three games, edging out Minerva Punjab FC by a superior goal difference.

They next play Shillong Lajong on Thursday while Churchill, still without a point have East Bengal to face on Saturday.