Title - Baljit scores hat-trick

Striker Baljit Singh Sahni scored a hat-trick to help holder East Bengal drub Eastern Railway 5-0 and make an impressive start in the premier division of the Calcutta Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.Baljit shrugged off a forgettable outing last season with the same outfit and gave East Bengal a promising start to the new season by fetching a goal as early as in the eighth minute.Baljit found the mark off a smart chip after a pass from Ishfaq Ahmed found him unmarked inside the Railway box.Midfielder Cavin Lobo, a fresh recruit from Mumbai FC, doubled the lead in the 25th minute before Baljit found his second goal in the 33rd minute to enhance East Bengal’s lead to 3-0.Edeh Chidi, the Nigerian making his debut for East Bengal, scored in the 37th minute to help the side lead 4-0 at the break.As East Bengal slowed down its aggression in the second session Baljit completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute.In another match of the same division played on the same day, Bhowanipur Club was held to a goalless draw by West Bengal Police at Mohun Bagan ground. — Principal Correspondent