It was truly a forgettable debut for Shillong Lajong...
JCT have started their I-League campaign in a spectacular fashion as they beat newcomers Shillong Lajong 5-1 at the Gurunanak Dev Stadium, Ludhiana.
Much was expected from Shillong Lajong after their more than average pre-season but it took the home side just 10 minutes to breach the backline of the I-League babes. Jagpreet Singh found Baljit Sahni whose right footer found the back of the net.
Thereafter, it was all one way traffic and the visitors had a tough time contending the JCT onslaught. Midway through the first half, the Punjab side found themselves 2-0 up as Baljit added a second to his name after Balwant Singh did all the dirty work.
Lajong had a brilliant opportunity in the 37th minute when Niwan-O-Gatpoh’s 40 yarder came off the crossbar but the rebound was sent into the orbit by Michael Bassey.
The story was pretty much the same in the second session as Balwant Singh headed home from a Pen cross. JCT were completely at ease and attacked at will. Baljit Sahni capped off a fantastic day at the office with a third goal to complete his hat-trick in the 70th minute.
However, Pen miscued his penalty after Balwant Singh was brought down inside the area by Lajong custodian Gumpe Rime. Balwant scored his second once again putting his head to good use from a Jaswinder cross.
The north eastern side did pull one back through Michael Bassey, who made amends for his earlier miss. Lajong could have suffered further humiliation after Jaswinder Singh’s shot was kept out by Gumpe Rime who would want to forget this day as soon as possible.
Sukhwinder Singh’s boys did have a great outing while Stanley Rosario certainly has a lot to think after what was a miserable debut in the I-League.
Goalscorers JCT: Baljit Sahni (10th, 24th and 70th min), Balwant Singh (52nd and 86 min)
Goalscorer Lajong: Michael Bassey (88th min)
Source: Goal.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 4 October 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.