Shillong, Oct 2: Mawlai were given real cause for concern but pulled off a 2-1 victory against Sawmer at the SSA Stadium today to move ever closer to the Shillong Premier League 2026 title.
Damanbhalang Chyne (45’+1) and Jestibor Mawlong (76’) scored for Mawlai and Orestar Sad (62’) for Sawmer but the latter fought all the way to the final whistle, with Mawlai just managing to hold on in what was a hair-raising adventure for them.
After eight rounds Mawlai are back on the top of the standings and they would win the trophy if they defeat Rangdajied United next week. Mawlai have 18 points after today, with Shillong Lajong on 17, Langsning 16 and Nongkseh 13. Sawmer, meanwhile, are in seventh with 9 points.
The game began in a lively manner when Lovingstar Suting was denied by Sawmer goalkeeper Urbanity Makhroh (making his season debut) in the very first minute.
Roughly 10 minutes later there was a loud appeal from Mawlai when Damanbhalang tumbled over in the box but referee Hopewelson Hujon saw nothing amiss in Khrawkupar Tamu’s challenge.
Mawlai kept up the pressure, though they were not the fast-paced side of previous games, and Wadshwa Latoo even managed to get the ball into the net but the goal was disallowed for him being offside.
Just when it looked like Sawmer were going to be able to escape unscathed from the first half, Damanbhalang netted the opening goal. A mispass in Sawmer’s half led to the ball being claimed by Ricky Chyne. The Mawlai player could have chosen to shoot but laid it on for Daman, who scored from the left.
Although they had the lead, Mawlai were a little shaky in the second half. It started early with Wadshwa giving the ball away and Sawmer’s Bickyson Kharkongor unleashed a strong shot that goalie Lambhamiki Lamare had to leap to push away for a corner.
On the hour, Sawmer came close again but Banteilang Lyngdoh hesitated when he should have made an attempt. The ball eventually found its way to Bickyson, but it was in the air and he did not make good contact with the volley.
Two minutes later, though, Sawmer were on level terms again, with a cross being met by Orestar, who whacked it in expertly for his first goal of the season. This was also only the second time Mawlai have conceded in SPL 2026.
That really was a shock to the system for Mawlai but credit has to go to them for believing in themselves and pushing on. Their efforts paid off in the 76th minute when a cross from the right was not properly dealt with by Urbanity – he neither gathered the ball nor pushed it to safety. Instead it sat up for substitute Jestibor to run in and thump into the net.
Mawlai still could not rest, however, as right at the end their hearts must have been in their mouths as Sawmer took two shots in the space of a few seconds, both of which hit the woodwork. First Diego Khyriem struck the upright and Orestar then took on the rebound and kissed the crossbar.
It was definitely not the most convincing of victories for Mawlai but they will take it at the end of the day and hope to put on a more composed show when they face Rangdajied on Wednesday.
Before that, tomorrow will see Nongkseh face relegation-threatened Laitkor at 3pm. Nongkseh must win in order to keep their hopes of the title alive, while ninth-placed Laitkor would claw their way up to seventh if they pull off a victory.
