East Bengal thrash BNR 4-1

Kolkata: Nigerian striker Ekene Ikenwa scored twice to help East Bengal thrash BNR 4-1 and register their third consecutive win in the Calcutta Football League (Premier Division) here on Thursday. Ekene scored in the fourth and 39th minutes, while R Vashum (34th) and Mehtab Hossain (58th) completed the rout at their home ground. BNR reduced the margin through Michael who scored in the sixth minute. Attacking with Ekene and Budhiram up front, East Bengal quickly sealed the opportunity when Ekene fired in from a Naoba Singh cross. BNR quickly equalised following a lapse by East Bengal custodian Sandip Nandy as Michael made it 1-1. But Nandy was quick to get on to his act when he thwarted a brilliant effort by BNR in the 11th minute. Naoba once again impressed with his nimble footwork as he was instrumental in helping East Bengal snatch the lead when Vashum made it 2-1 in the 34th minute. Just five minutes later, Ekene made it 3-1 even as BNR appealed for an offside which was turned down by the referee. Mehtab completed the tally after the changeover as East Bengal logged nine points from three outings. PTI