Assam Rifles players (in green) and their Salbagan SC opponents battle it out in the midfield in Tezpur on Wednesday. Pictures by Eastern projections

Dibrugarh/Tezpur, Feb. 17: Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan today edged out Gauhati Town Club (GTC) by a solitary goal to register their third straight victory in the 2nd Airtel Assam State Premier League at Swahid Piyoli Phukon Stadium in Sivasagar.

In another match at Tezpur, home side Assam Rifles blanked out Salbagan SC, Gossaigaon 7-0 in a one-sided affair.

At Sivasagar, both the teams were neck-and-neck in the game today. The GTC players put up a better show, but the experienced Duliajan team had the last laugh, clinching the match 1-0.

After a barren first half, OIL’s young and prolific striker Mintu Boro scored the winning goal of the match in the 78th minute. OIL was awarded a free kick about 25 metres from the GTC goal and midfielder H.L. Ruata took the shot. Mintu accurately judged the lob and pushed the ball towards the GTC net for the lead.

OIL squandered two absolute sitters, the closest being the powerful long ranger taken by striker Jayanta Basumatary that missed the GTC crossbar by a few inches.

GTC players playing with small passes came up with some good soccer, but could not convert any of their moves despite some huge efforts.

OIL has now won three of their three matches while GTC had lost two and drawn two so far in the tournament.

With today’s win, the OIL team not only topped Group B but also moved into the semi-finals. They will play FCI Sports Club in their last encounter on February 19. ASEB reached the last four from Group A yesterday.

At Tezpur, the paramilitary men dominated the proceedings right from the word go. Ajit Kumar Singh opened the floodgates as early as in the eighth minute.

Conceding the goal, the Salbagan men upped the ante and tried hard for the equaliser. However, their efforts only paved the way for the opponents to make more inroads through counter-attacks and M. Kamei capitalised on such an opportunity to enhance the lead in the 37th minute.

Leading 2-0 in the second session, C. Larimkima pumped in three goals in the 46th, 70th and 74th minutes. H. Khollick and K. Naoba Singh ruffled the net in the 48th and 55th minutes respectively for the other two goals.

Assam Police Blues, Guwahati will clash with PHE RC, Silchar in tomorrow’s match at Sivasagar while 9 Assam Police Battalion, Nagaon meet Green Valley SC, Guwahati at Tezpur.