Kolkata: I-League top scorer Ranty Martins struck twice as United SC drubbed ONGC 3-1 to end their campaign with a fourth place finish at the Kalyani Stadium Saturday. The Nigerian striker, who topped the scoring chart with 26 goals, converted a 29th minute spot kick and went on to pump in one more at the break.
New Zealand recruit Kayne Vincent's header in the 57th minute sealed the issue for the purple brigade while Lalmuanpuia reduced the margin with a freekick in the 70th minute for ONGC. United SC finished with a tally 44 points behind third-placed East Bengal while ONGC remained on 31 points.
United SC should give credit to goalkeeper Subrata Paul for thwarting a fine effort from Lalmuanpuia who unleashed a low and powerful shot in the eighth minute. ONGC had another fine attack through an Eric Brown left-footer in the 14th minute but Paul once again stood tall under the bar. In the 28th minute, Vincent was brought down inside the box by Odeola as a penalty was awarded to the home team with Martins making no mistake.
In the first-half added time, Martins added one more when he beat the offside trap for his second goal. Deepak Mondal set it up for Vincent with a fine cross as the New Zelander comfortably nudged it home. The unlucky ONGC finally got one goal when Lamuanpuia scored from an indirect freekick that sailed into the United net.
East Bengal will try to sign off on a winning note when they face Shillong Lajong FC in a concluding round I-League fixture at the Kalyani Stadium Sunday. East Bengal's chances of retaining the second position are remote as they have to depend on the result of Pune FC, who currently occupy the place in the league standings.
In the other match, Dempo, who have slipped to the fifth place in the I-League table, will look to end the season on a winning note as they take on Salgaocar in their concluding match at the Tilak maidan here Sunday. Dempo's campaign in the league this season has been their worst ever as they lost nine matches in a row.
Injuries to key players was the main reason the Goan side could not put up a collective performance. Now that all are fit except for Godwinl Franco, who is out with four bookings, coach Maurico Afonso who is deputing in the absence of regular coach Armando Colaco, wants to end the season on a winning note.
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