Shillong, Sept 23: Nongkseh Sports & Social Cultural Club (Nongkseh SS&CC) strengthened their position in the Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2026 with a 2-0 victory over Rangdajied United at the SSA Stadium here on Wednesday evening.
Dawanchwa Challam opened the scoring in the 66th minute before Aenam Jyrwa doubled Nongkseh’s advantage in the 85th minute. The result gave Nongkseh their second consecutive victory and lifted them to fourth place with 10 points, three behind leaders Langsning. Rangdajied remain seventh with seven points.
Rangdajied have shown considerable improvement after a difficult start to the season and kept Nongkseh at bay for much of the first hour on Wednesday. However, Dawanchwa broke the deadlock with an excellent individual finish after controlling a forward pass with his right foot before striking the ball past a defender and the goalkeeper with his left.
Nongkseh had opportunities to take the lead earlier in the match. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh saw his effort dramatically cleared off the line, while Hardy Cliff Nongbri delivered a dangerous free-kick into the box that went unanswered. Rangdajied, meanwhile, earned several corners in the first half but failed to make them count.
Nongkseh’s second goal in the 85th minute came with an element of fortune. A cross from the right travelled across the Rangdajied penalty area without finding a touch before reaching Aenam at the far post, where he made no mistake from close range.
Rangdajied responded with greater attacking intent after falling behind. In the 79th minute, Micky Marwein sent a diagonal ball towards Balamlynti Khongjee, whose header from a promising position went wide.
Franky Dkhar then struck a free-kick from just outside the box into the wall in the 89th minute. The rebound fell to Balamlynti, whose effort took a deflection and resulted in another corner.
Rangdajied continued to press in stoppage time, with Henryford Nongneng forcing Nongkseh goalkeeper Daraphun Talang into action with a powerful effort. The ball moved awkwardly through the air, but Talang managed to punch it clear.
The defeat ended a two-match winning run for Rangdajied and marked their first game of the season without scoring. Their previous victories had come against Laitkor and Nangkiew Irat.
In Thursday’s fixture, third-placed Shillong Lajong will take on relegation-threatened Laitkor at 3pm.
