The first win for the black and whites after two draws against promotees Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra and Dhaka Wanderers Club came as a big relief for their loyal band of supporters ahead of the crucial game against Brothers Union next Sunday.

The holders did not have to look behind once striker Farhad scored in the very second minute.

Their Cameroon attacker Etigo then struck twice and his compatriot Afala and substitute defender Riad Mahmud scored once each in a surprisingly one-sided affair.

Although goals came thick and fast for the Mohammedans, resistance from Victoria was completely missing after their upset 1-0 victory over top guns Muktijoddha and a dogfight in a 0-2 defeat at the hand of leaders Abahani in the previous match.

The next door neighbours of Mohammedan were uneasily scrappy as they allowed their opponents to score two soft goals in the first eight minutes of the proceedings.

It was a rather innocuous through pass that set up the first goal for Mohammedan with two Victoria defenders Jet and Ramzan nonchalantly chasing the ball before Farhad coming from behind out sprinted them with ease and drove the ball past and advancing custodian Raju (1-0).

Afala, one of the three Cameroon booters in the Mohammedan lineup, doubled the lead after six minutes heading home an Amin Rana free-kick from the left side (2-0).

After the break, Etogi struck twice in the space of three minutes and on both occasions Afala was the provider.

Etogi scored his first League goal with a headed off an Afala cross from the right side in the 68th minute and then tapped in his second from a goal mouth melee following a right side corner in the 71st minute.

A sustained Mohammedan effort produced the fifth goal in the injury time with substitute defender Riad finding the net from a Sourav Raju corner.

The win raised Mohammedan's tally to five points and a place behind leaders Abahani, who have maximum six points from two matches.

Abahani will take on Brothers at the same venue today and a victory will give the popular Dhanmondi outfit a four-point lead over their bitter rivals. A rejuvenated Brothers will also desperately look to claim the top spot after a win and a draw with Muktijoddha.

Yellow cards: Rahel (Victoria), Olinga and Afala (Mohammedan).

TEAMS

MOHAMMEDAN SC: Nadim, Olinga, Jewel Rana, faisal, Amin Rana, Shuvro (Riad), Monju, Etigo, Afala, Bakhtiar and Farhad (Rony).

VICTORIA SC: Raju, Israfil, Jet, Ramjan, Fakhrul (Afzal), Govinda, Polo, Rintu, Rahel, Sharif and Sohag (Mehdi).

Referee: R Alam.