Matches from the continuing open round of the Hong Kong Football Association Cup took centre stage last weekend, with two mid-tabled HKFA Championship First Division teams winning and progressing to the next round.
As expected, BC Rangers defeated Second Division’s Wo Foo Tai Po 2-nil; while Eastern Salon defeated lowly First Division team Yokohama FC (HK) 3-1. The second round of the Cup is likely to feature only First Division teams, with all four teams coming from the Second and Third Divisions likely to exit at the first hurdle.
There were no matches last weekend in the Championship’s First Divsion home-and-away season, leaving Kitchee a commanding 10-points ahead of South China.
HKFA other Divisions
While Wong Tai Sin extended their narrow lead at the top of the Second Division standings with a 4-nil win against Lucky Mile, HKFC recorded a 7-2 win over Tuen Mun FC to move into second.
Wong Tai Sin (42 points and 29 goal difference margin) lead a tight competition ahead of HKFC (38 and 36) and Wo Foo Tai Po (37 and 40)—who now having a game in hand due to their involvement in the HKFA Cup.
Lucky Mile were well beaten by a solid and accomplished Wong Tai Sin, who took the lead in the 22nd minute when a chipped pass from the centre back into the penalty box was coolly flicked past goalkeeper Paul Ting.
Wong Tai Sin doubled the lead in the 40th minute with a fine driven chip from the edge of the box over goalkeeper Paul Ting into the roof of the net and a 2-nil half-time lead.
Wong Tai Sin extended their lead in the 67th minute when a loose ball on the edge of the box was driven into the top right-hand corner of the net over the outstretched hands of replacement goalkeeper Reeves.
Wong Tai Sin wrapped the game up in the 85th minute when a swift passing move down the left-hand side was worked into the penalty box and struck past goalkeeper Reeves.
In other games Wing Yee beat Tai Chung 5-1; Double Flower won 5-1 against Kwai Tsing; and Wanchai won 1-nil against Kwun Tong.
In the Third Division Metro Gallery Sun Source closed the gap on Yau Tsim Mong after winning the two’s top of the table clash 3-1.
While Yau Tsim Mong (52) remain the division’s clear leaders, Metro Gallery Sun Source (43) still have two games in hand. Mutual (42) are third, but have played the same number of games as Yau Tsim Mong.
Sai Kung won their top of the table clash with GFC Friends 3-1 to lead the Fourth Division (on 34) from Central & Western (31) and GFC Friends in third on 29 points, but have one game in hand over Sai Kung and two over Central & Western.
Yau Yee League
On the return to Yau Yee League’s round 17 following a break for their Cup competition, USRC maintained their 11-point lead in Division One with a 3-nil win over previously third placed GAS.
Meanwhile, Wanderers remain in second place after their 1-nil local derby win over Albion—the game was settled in the 29th minute, when an inviting cross from the left wing from Steven Everest eluded the onrushing Wanderers forwards and ran on to the goal line 12 yards from the post; the ball was driven back towards the centre of the goal by Simon Galvin and duly dispatched by Neil Shonhard with a neat finish.
In other games KCC Dragons beat Colts 2-nil; Swiss XI won 4-1 against The Store House Squadron; The Store House Spartans won 3-1 over Interglobo Colloids; and French Kiss won 3-nil against Antonhill.
USRC (47 points) lead Wanderers (36) in second five rounds remaining in the 2013-14 season.
Division Two is now led by KCC Knights after they defeated previous joint leaders Corinthians 3-nil, with Boca Juniors moving into second place after their 1-nil win over ANP. KCC Knights (36) lead Boca Juniors by 2-points and 3 ahead of Corinthians.
In Division Three, HKU70’s are tied at the top of the with WYFC06 (40) after the former’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of CAPS, and the latter’s 2-1 win over University.
IES (on 46 points) maintain their lead in the Division Four after a 4-nil victory over Rising Sun. Green Cypress (35) moved into second-place with a 5-3 win over Skyline, while Power 22 (35) lost to HKSS 1-nil and went to third on goal difference.
