Shillong, Oct 13: Shillong Lajong are just one step away from defending their Shillong Premier League (SPL) title after demolishing Nongrim Hills 5-0 at the SSA Stadium, First Ground, Polo, this evening.

Wilbert Marbaniang (7’), Deibormame Tongper (45’+3), Ricky Kharkongor (57’, 68’) and Banlamkupar Rynjah (60’) found the target as Lajong cruised to an emphatic victory against the bottom-placed side.

With this win, Lajong climbed to 18 points from eight matches, one point ahead of second-placed Langsning. Nongrim Hills, meanwhile, remain at the bottom with just one point from their eight outings.

Lajong took an early lead when Wilbert headed in a corner, but the defending champions wasted several easy chances thereafter. Nongrim Hills created few real threats, their best early effort being a long-range strike by Bameaijingmut Majaw that flew wide.

Lajong goalkeeper Wanteilang Malngiang had a nervous moment when he fumbled a corner, but a defender managed to clear the danger. At the other end, Nongrim Hills’ custodian Kitboklang Marbaniang made a fine save to deny Ricky in stoppage time.

However, moments later, a high ball from Lajong was palmed onto the bar by Kitboklang, and Deibormame Tongper pounced on the rebound to double Lajong’s advantage before halftime.

The second half was one-way traffic, with Ricky adding two more goals — first charging into the box from the left to finish smartly, then unleashing a long-range strike — while Banlamkupar also got on the scoresheet in between.

The result leaves Lajong firmly in control of their own destiny, needing just one more positive result to secure back-to-back SPL crowns.