RAWA
LPINDI - Nomy Martin Gill, with a superb hat-trick, helped Navy to outplay star-studded Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 3-0 in the eighth Pakistan Premier Football League-2011 match played here at Rawalpindi Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.
HBL having the services of many star players was the favourite to win the match, but to the surprise of many Navy started the match in a much-controlled fashion and dictated terms to HBL. Bankers forwards hardly managed to reach the Navy half as seamen forwards kept the HBL defence at bay right from the beginning.
Manin-form Nomy Martin Gill started to tear the HBL defence with his pace and drills and succeeded in scoring a goal on a free-kick from 25 yards in the 25th minute.
First half ended with Navy leading the match 1-0.
In the second half, HBL players tried to show a decent performance and started playing with more freedom and created some fine moves but Navy defence spoiled all of their moves. HBL got the first real chance in the 65th minute when their forward managed to beat the offside trap and left with the only goalkeeper to beat, but Navy goalie saved his sides with a breath-taking acrobatic effort.
This save boosted Navy morale and Nomy Martin once again proved to be the difference between the two sides as he doubled the lead in the 80th minute with a superb goal. HBL after going two down tried to level the match but their all efforts went in vain.
Nomy once again managed to beat the HBL defence for his team's third goal to complete his hat trick.
HBL could have lower the deficit had they once again not missed a simple goal scoring opportunity, this was the last action of the match as referee blew the whistle for the much of delight of Navy fans who were gathered their in numbers to cheer for their team.
In the earlier match of the day between Pakistan Air Force and PEL, PAF were awarded walk over as their opponents once again failed to turn up for the match, when this scribe contacted match commissioner Salahudin for his comments regarding PEL's continuous absence, he said: "I tried to contact PEL management on the given number but their cell phone remained switched off."