Shillong, Aug 31: Mawkriah West were awarded the champions’ trophy of the Shillong Sports Association’s Third Division 2025 after they defeated Umlyngka 3-0 in the final at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Saturday evening.
Honour Lucky Nongbri (18′), Hostarfield Kharbudnah (47′) and Insporjoy Rynjah (89′) were the scorers.
Both sides had already secured promotion to 2026’s Second Division by qualifying for the final but the final was about the trophy and the glory that goes with it. The stadium was packed, with fans of Umlyngka appearing to heavily outnumber those of Mawkriah West. Nevertheless, Umlyngka were quickly silenced, at least temporarily, after Honour Lucky headed in the opening goal in under 20 minutes.
Umlyngka had not scored in any of their previous four matches (they required tiebreakers to win their quarterfinal and semifinal) and ultimately they were unable to do so for a fifth time today.
Samborlang Nongbsap, their diminutive but highly energetic man upfront, had a couple of solid chances in the first half, starting out with a test of Mawkriah West’s goalkeeper Sunshine Kharmuti and then wrestling with defender Ebenezer Mawkhiew before taking a shot while practically lying on his back.
Umlyngka still had a lot of hope going into the second half but they were dealt a blow after Hostarfield got his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season.
Samborlang continued to be in the thick of the action, though, and he seemed like Umlyngka’s best hope. Around 20 minutes into the second half he weaved past the advancing Sunshine to take the ball into the box but here he was met with several defenders and he probably took one touch too many before attempting a shot on goal that was blocked.
Before this Umlyngka thought they had a goal but the assistant referee ruled that the would-be scorer had been offside. Still, it was Umlyngka that continued to press forwards, while Mawkriah West sat back protecting their lead.
The third goal was thus completely unexpected. Awarded a free-kick, Mawkriah West pushed just one man into the Umlyngka box – Insporjoy – and he converted the opportunity he was handed when Umlyngka goalie Berith Nongbri spilled what should have been a regulation take for the very capable keeper.
The Third Division has been sponsored for several years by the Shillong Recreation Ground Trust, which manages the historic Polo Ground area. Senior members of the SRGT – Wallamphang Roy and Danny M Pariat – and Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling were present for the final along with senior SSA members.
The champions received Rs 80,000 as prize money while the runners-up were awarded Rs 40,000. Sunshine was named Player of the Final, while Wanborlang Lyngdoh Nongbri of Umrynjah was presented with the Top Scorer award for racking up seven goals.
SSA football continues on Monday with the return of the Second Division as well as the top tier Shillong Premier League where Rangdajied United will face Nongrim Hills at 4:30pm.
