Chirag United thrash ONGC 4-2

Kolkata, Jan 30 (PTI) Elijah Junior made a superb returnto help Chirag United coast to a thumping 4-2 win overbottom-placed ONGC in their round 12 I-League fixture at YubaBharati Krirangan here today.

The Nigerian, who was out of action for exactly a month,recovered from his injury as he helped Joshimar D''Silva scorethe first goal in the 42nd minute.

Junior opened his account in the 55th minute, whileDenson Devadas (61st) and Lalkmal Bhowmick (82nd) completedthe rout against the listless Mumbai minnows who reduced themargin through Baba Tunde (59th and 90th).

Bolstered by the presence of Subarata Bhattacharya, whowas back at the helm of the side after a prolonged illness,Chirag United began on an aggressive note as the ONGC foundthe going tough.

But their first breakthrough came towards the end of thefirst period when Junior set it up brilliantly for Joshimar todo the needful.

In a 42nd-minute move, Junior picked a through pass fromLalkamal Bhowmick and put it nicely inside the box for thesurging Joshimar who shot past the ONGC goalkeeper Rajat GhoshDastidar for the lead.

Ten minutes after the break, Junior, who played his lastmatch against Dempo exactly a month back, fired in from aGouranga Dutta pass inside the box as ONGC defence was nowhereto be seen.

But ONGC struck four minutes later when Baba Tundewrestled past Narugopal Hait before his left-footer went inthrough the far post to make it 2-1.

Devadas also returned to form when he capitalised ondefensive lapse as the medio nodded in a low header to giveChirag a 3-1 lead.

In the 82nd minute, Lalkmal struck from the left flank.

But ONGC reduced the margin when Baba Tunde scored againwith a timely header through the far post at the stroke offulltime.

Chirag United now have 18 points, while ONGC remained onthe last position with seven points after 12 matches each. PTITAP MD SHN