LAHORE Akram Masih was the hero in Wapda's 6-1 triumph over Young Blood FC despite Arif Mehmood's four goals at Railways Stadium while PMC Athtelico Club managed to gather their first goal and first point in a 2-1 win over PEL at Agriculture University Ground, as two more matches in Pakistan Premier Football League were decided on Punjab territory.
Akram was the real hero in Wapda's win and later on Arif Mehmmod showed his striking ability to score a second hat-trick. Akram was instrumental in the first goal when his 6th minute chip from the left flank dropped beautifully in skipper Mehmood's grasp and he lopped it over keeper Naqqash Khalid.
Mehmood might have scored more goals in the 14th, 16th 29th, 38th minutes but he was wayward with his attempts. Young Blood relied too heavily on long range shootings in the first session.
Wapda led 1-0 at half time and they increased the lead in the 49th minute when Akram's well-flighted angular left footer from 45-metre dropped behind Khalid.
From then on it was Mehmood and Young Blood's defence with Multan born striker Masih scoring in the 65th, 72nd and 86th minutes. Substitute Muhammad Afzal rounded off the tally in the 90th minute which led to Wapda completing the double over the newly promoted side from Sahiwal.
Young Blood, under midfielder Abid Hussain, had also forced opportunities but Wapda's keeper Abdul Aziz allowed them to skip through only once when Young Blood struck a consolation goal through winger Khawar Khalid in the 71st minute.
In the other game, after three consecutive defeats, PMC snatched a 2-1 win over PEL.
Spearhead Naveed Mumtaz opened the scoring in the 20th minute that turned out to be the first goal for the Faisalabad outfit in the event. Muhammad Qaiser consolidated the lead in the 84th minute to make it 2-0. PEL replied through Muhammad Bilwal in stoppage time.
Nushki's Baloch FC finally recorded their fist win when they Habib Bank Limited at Nushki Stadium. The rough, hard tackling match saw Referee Sattar Badini (Kharan) flashing four yellow cards, two each to players of both teams.
It was 0-0 at half time and the same scoreline was maintined until the 85th minute when front runner Naseeb Ullah won the hearts of his manager Abid Hussain and others on the bench with an unstoppable drive past the keeper. It was the second defeat for the bankers who have managed only one point in three games so far.
Saturday's fixtures NBP v KPT (Korangi Baloch Stadium, Karachi,4 PM), KESC v PIA (Peoples Sports Complex, Karachi 4 PM). - APP
