Kamal Ghorui
KOLKATA: Jamie Maclaren smashed four goals — including a first-half hat-trick — as Mohun Bagan SG hammered Odisha FC 5-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday to stay perfect in their ISL campaign.The in-form Maclaren started the demolition job for Sergio Lobera’s defending champions and league leaders against the Spanish coach’s former team with two quick goals in 14 and 24 minutes. Alberto Rodrigues then came up from his defence to make it 3-0 with a piledriver from 25 yards out in the 42nd minute.
Although Rahim Ali reduced the margin for the visitors within a minute, cashing in on a rare miscommunication between Bagan defender Mehtab Singh and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, Maclaren still had time enough to complete his hattrick in the first minute of the first-half injury time and kill the game as a contest.The Australian striker then completed the rout with his fourth goal in the 88th minute as Lobera’s marauding side made it four wins in as many matches to lead the standings.In doing so, Maclaren — who has now scored in all four matches — also moved to the top of the scoring chart in this truncated ISL with 7 goals.
