CAIRO: Al-Gaish continued their glittering start in the Egyptian League after beating Arab Contractors 2-0 on Saturday to regain their place on the top of the table. Ehab Abou-Zeid broke the deadlock one minute before the break when he rose at the near post to head home an inch-perfect corner. Sameh Adrous doubled the lead in the 59th minute after latching on to a deft pass before lofting the ball over the advancing keeper. The military club s stunning start put them on top of the table with 13 points, one ahead of second-placed Petrojet and two clear of defending champions Ahly. Elsewhere, Mohamed Ateya s goal in the 20th minute led Ghazl Mahalla to a 1-0 home victory over Masri in an ill-tempered game, to widen the misery of the Port Said-based club. Mahalla midfielder Mohsen Hendawi was excluded from the team during the warm-up after being involved in a brawl with his teammates. The club s board are yet to decide whether the player will be subjected to a fine. Masri midfielder Ashour Al-Adham raised his shoe towards Mahalla fans, who were infuriated before chanting against the former Ahly youngster. The incident triggered trouble involving fans from both sides before the stadium security restrained angry supporters. Mahalla moved to fifth place with ten points while Masri lie 12th on just four points. The pressure will be mounted on Masri manager Helmi Toulan after the club were also handed a stunning 1-0 home defeat to Syria s Al-Taliya in the first-leg of the preliminary stages of the Arab Champions League.
