Nigerian Ranti Martins scored three goals to help Dempo Sports Club post a resounding 4-1 win over Sporting Clube-de-Goa to maintain their unbeaten run in the 12th round of the ONGC I-League football championship at Nehru Stadium in Margao on Sunday.
Dempo, who led 3-0 at half-time, scored through Martins (15th, 41st, 90th) and compatriot Edeh Chidi (22nd minute).
Sporting reduced the margin in the 63rd minute through substitute Fredy Mascarenhas.
Dempo, who are at the top of the table, now have 27 points while Sporting remained on 12.
Armando Colaco's team were in the ascendancy from the start dictating terms to their opponents whom they beat 1-0 in the first round of the league.
They struck early in the game with Martins scoring off a pass from Chidi.
Chidi then increased the lead when he headed in off a free-kick taken by defender Valeriano Rebello.
Dempo kept the pressure and Sporting's defence once again crumbled in the 41st minute when Martins tapped the ball in to make it 3-0 for his team.
Sporting, who looked sluggish in their attack in the first half, raised their game after change of ends and scored through Mascarenhas, whose firm right-footer found the roof of the net.
Dempo came up with a counter move and forced goalkeeper Luis Baretto to make fine saves from Climax Lawerence and Anthony Fernandes.
Sporting clube-de-Goa went all out in search of goal in the dying minutes leaving the defence open. This was exploited by Martins who scored his third goal of the match to complete a convincing victory for Dempo.
