Stallions trip Nomads, pad lead in UFL title race

MANILA, Philippines – Stallion-Sta. Lucia shrugged off a shaky start to turn back Nomads, 6-3, Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill to pad its lead in the United Football League title race.

The current league leader Stallions, who extended their lead over Global to five points in the standings, came back from an early one goal deficit.  

Nomads took the initial lead on a Phil Connoly goal in the 14^th minute but an own goal by Bafio Magassa eight minutes later did them in and sparked a Stallion comeback.

With the score tied at one goal apiece on a sheer luck, the Stallion buckled down to work on their way to their 15^th win against only two losses.

Defender Joaco Canas moonlighted in the Stallions’ offensive scheme as the league leader stole the lead in the 39^th minute.

Stallion extended the lead, 3-1, early in the second half with a Lee Won Hyung goal in the 56^th minute.  Nomads dug a deeper grave when they allowed Sanchez to catch fire burying back-to-back goals in a three-minute span starting at 75^th minute before Shirmar Felongco rounded up Stallions’ scoring spree with another goal in the 79^th minute.

Sanchez explosion also hiked his scoring total to 18 goals, creating a two-goal separation against Loyola Meralco Sparks’ Phil Younghusband for the Golden Boot award.

Nomads tried to make the scoreline more respectable with a Magassa penalty conversion in the 86^th minute and Andrew Sam’s goal in the injury time.

The loss kept Nomads at eight spot with 13 points on 3-4-10 card, six points clear of the relegation zone.