Shillong, September 18: Laitkor ended their run of poor form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sawmer in the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
Hamingbert Nongbet scored both goals for Laitkor, heading home in the 18th and 63rd minutes. Bickyson Kharkongor scored Sawmer’s only goal in the 38th minute.
The result was a setback for Sawmer, who could have moved to the top of the table with a victory. They remain fourth with 9 points, while Laitkor moved to 6 points but stayed ninth and inside the relegation zone. They are now just one point behind the four teams currently tied on seven points.
Hamingbert has been one of the brighter performers during Laitkor’s difficult campaign and again proved decisive.
He came close to opening the scoring in the sixth minute, firing a powerful effort just wide. Laitkor then nearly produced a spectacular goal when Shanborlang Thangkhiew’s long-range effort from around the centre circle crashed against the crossbar.
The opening goal arrived in the 18th minute after Balajiedlang Lyngwa delivered a cross into the box. Hamingbert rose despite close attention from a defender to head the ball into the net.
Sawmer responded with chances of their own. Michaelson Kurbah narrowly missed in the 30th minute, while Diego Khyriem made a dangerous run into Laitkor territory. However, Laitkor goalkeeper Hukumskhem Marbaniang, making his first SPL 2026 appearance, came off his line and produced an excellent tackle to deny him.
Sawmer eventually equalised in the 38th minute through Bickyson. After Mark Wanswett’s close-range effort looped into the air, Hukumskhem and Bickyson both moved towards the loose ball, with the Sawmer forward reaching it first and finding the net.
Laitkor restored their lead less than 20 minutes into the second half.
Wadskhem Marbaniang sent the ball into the box from the right, where Hamingbert was left unmarked. The forward leaned forward and headed the delivery past the goalkeeper to complete his brace.
The result keeps Laitkor in ninth place but brings them within one point of the teams above them.
The next SPL fixture will see bottom-placed Mylliem take on seventh-placed Meghalaya Police on Monday at 3pm.
