East Bengal’s James Moga controls the ball even as Rajib Ghosh of Bhowanipore tries to close him down, at the club ground, on Thursday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: A rampant Kingfisher East Bengal ran roughshod over a hapless Bhowanipore Club, winning 5-0 in a CFL Premier Division Championship Round match, at the club ground, on Thursday. James Moga netted a hat-trick, while Reisangmi Vashum and Ryuji Sueoka were also on target.

The contest was as good as over by half-time as the defending champions led 3-0.

The first goal came in the 24th minute. Baljit Sahni’s shot was partially blocked by Bhowanipore goalkeeper Debjit Majumder and Moga volleyed home off the rebound.

The second came a minute before half-time. Cavin Lobo made a darting run and played it to Moga whose shot was blocked by Debjit. Off the rebound, Moga made no mistake to make it 2-0.

The third came within a minute. Moga, Lobo and Sueoka combined well and the Japanese midfielder gave the ball to Vashum. The left-half turned the rival goalkeeper around and slotted it home.

Four minutes into the second half, the red-and-gold brigade got their fourth. Lobo was once again in the thick of things. He made a great run on the left and his delivery found an unmarked Moga who nodded home to get his first hat-trick since joining East Bengal.

“It’s a great feeling. Even though our opponents were not that strong, a hat-trick is a hat-trick. Slowly we are getting a drift of what the coach wants from us. He is also understanding us better. That’s showing on the pitch. We recorded a memorable away win against current I-League toppers Bengaluru FC and that gave us the confidence,” a beaming Moga said after the match.

About his injury — Moga limped off in the 56th minute — the South Sudanese striker hoped he would be fine after the Christmas break.

East Bengal’s fifth and the last goal came in the 74th minute. Lobo once again provided the assistance. And this time Sueoka found his name on the scoresheet.

East Bengal coach Armando Colaco was happy with the team’s performance.

“A win is a win… Before the match, I told the boys to enjoy the game. They enjoyed the game and the result is there for all to see. A perfect Christmas gift…” Colaco signed off.

TEAMS

East Bengal: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Abhra Mondal 76); Abhishek Das, Arnab Mondal Gurwinder Singh and Reisangmi Vasum (Alvito D’Cunha 61), Harmanjyot Singh Khabra, Cavin Lobo, Ryuji Sueoka, Baljit Sahni and James Moga (Seiminlen Doungel)

Bhowanipore Club: Debjit Majumder, Rajib Ghosh, Santosh Oraon (Snehasish Datta 50), Gurpreet Singh, Avinash Ruidas, Francis Xavier (Anubrata Maity 46), Daniel Bidemi, Surabuddin Mollick (Tarun Taneja 46), Manjit Singh, Dipendu Dowary, Jose Ramirez Barreto

Referee: Ranjit Bakshi.

MoM: Cavin Lobo