Catch me if you can: A Social Worker Congress player runs with the ball while his Takhel Youth Welfare Association counterpart attempts to foil his move during their match at Khabeisoi in Imphal East on Friday. A Telegraph picture

Imphal, Sept. 5: Social Worker Congress, Khongman, overcame Takhel Youth Welfare Association by 2-1 goals in a match of the M. Ibobi Singh Memorial First Division Football League Tournament played at Khabeisoi in Imphal East today.

The Khongman team got their act together from the very first minute of the match and reaped their harvest in the 13th minute of the match. S. Ranjit Singh netted the ball with a powerful low volley. Bolstered by their success, they dominated the entire first half and in the 25th minute consolidated their lead with another goal by K. Premkumar Singh.

The Takhel men, caught on the wrong foot in the first session, failed to gel as a unit. However, in the second half, they appeared to be in better shape and played much better football. They geared up to make up for the loss and tried attacking the opponent’s territory. However, success eluded them for some time as the Khongman team defended their castle well.

However, the Takhel men were equally determined, and they ultimately tasted success in the 72nd minute when K. Nandakishore Singh brought up the lone goal from a close-range shot. But it was not enough to save the match, and they succumbed to a 1-2 goal defeat.

With today’s win, Social Workers bolstered their position in the league. However, North Eastern Sporting Union and United Pukhao Sports Association are the current leader with 13 points each from four wins and one drawn matches each.

United Pukhao Sports Association in their match on Thursday edged past Friends Union Club by 2-1 goals to share the lead with the North Eastern team.

In the Maharajkumar Ghanendrajit Memorial Super Division Football League Tournament, the Anouba Imagi Mangal team are now sitting comfortably on the top, with the other five participating teams languishing far behind.

Undefeated so far in the league, the Anouba Imagi Mangal team is leading the tally with 12 points from four matches. Progressive Youth Association is its nearest contender with 7 points in their kitty.

Imphal West soccer

Dimapur Road Athletic Organisation rode on I. Shanta Singh’s lone goal to defeat Kangchup Road Young Physical and Sporting Association in a match of the S. Birendra Singh Memorial Super Division Football League Tournament played at Langjing ground today.

The match was a keenly contested affair and both the teams played quite aggressively. However, the first half was a barren affair.

In the second half, the midfield tussle continued without any breakthrough until the 63rd minute of play.

Dimapur Road was awarded a penalty kick after Kangchup Road player Pamei Pougailung deliberately handled the ball inside the danger zone.

He was sent off with a red card.

The subsequent kick was taken by I. Shanta Singh, who made no mistake in finding the net to bring up the lone winning goal today.

In the 15th L. Sangita Devi Memorial First Division Football League Tournament, Chajing Inat Kanba Lup edged past Chingamathak Young Learners Club by a solitary goal.

The lone goal came from Ramesh Singh in the second half.

The Chingamathak team also suffered another blow as Naopik Singh was sent off with a red card and will miss the next match.