HKFA Premier League saw a top of the table clash take place between Eastern and last year’s champions, and league contenders Kitchee last Saturday (Feb 28) in the only premier league fixture played.
Kitchee took the lead in the 26th minute when Xu Deshuai’s cross was finished by Juan Belencoso, a lead that they maintained until the half-time break.
Although Eastern came out for the second half determined to find the equaliser, Kitchee managed to extend their lead in the 55th minute when Belencoso scored from the penalty spot after Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai was penalised for a foul on Paulo Careiro.
Kitchee further increased their lead in the 87th minute when Xu Deshuai volleyed home from Ngan Lok-fung’s pass.
Jorge Tarres finished in time added on with Kitchee’s fourth goal for a decisive win, which allowed them to leapfrog Eastern into the leading position in the table.
With teams now having caught up in the schedules, and played a similar number of matches, Kitchee now lead the table with 23 points from 10 games, with Eastern second in the standings on 22 points from 10 matches, South China third with 20 points from 11 matches, and Sun Pegaus fourth with 19 points from 10 matches.
The weekend also saw some FA Cup matches, with Wong Tai Sin prevailing in a 2-nil victory over Southern, and South China gaining a 1-nil win against first division Citizen.
In the weekend’s first division matches, Happy Valley were 4-1 victors over Double Flower, Wan Chai were beaten 5-2 by HKFC, Sun Hei were 1-nil victors over Kwai Tsing, and Lucky Mile lost to Kwun Tong 1-0.
Metro Gallery Sun Source now lead the first division table with 44 points, with HKFC second with 41 points, Yau Tsim Mong third on 36 points, and Southern fourth on 35 points – all having played 16 games.
Second division matches saw Sai Kung draw 1-all with Eastern District, Mutual win 4-nil against Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po win 3-1 against Kwong Wah, Kowloon City win 1-nil against Wing Yee, Tuen Mun FC win 2-1 against Fire Services, and Kwok Keung draw 1-all with New Fair Kui Tan.
Wing Yee now head the second division after 14 matches with 37 points, Mutual are second with 30 points, Kowloon City are third with 28 points, and Sai Kung fourth with 26 points.
In the third division, Central & Western were 4-1 victors over KCDSRC, Fukien won 5-2 against Islands, Telecom were beaten 6-2 by GFC Friends, Ornament won 5-1 against Lung Moon, Rainbow Legend North District won 1-nil against St Joseph’s Tung Sing won 8-nil against KCC, and King Mountain drew 2-all against Fu Moon.
Tung Sing now lead the division with 41 points from 16 matches, with Central & Western district second with 38 points from the same number of matches.
Yau Yee League
Yau Yee League rounds resumed after the CNY holiday break.
The first division continued its jostling for the lead in the title race with previous leaders Albion held to a 1-all draw by Colts, Wanderers winning 3-1 against Boca Seniors, KCC Dragons 1-nil winners over USRC, GAS winning 3-1 against The Store House Squadron, Swiss XI winning 2-nil against Baker Tilly Spartans, and Corinthians winning 4-3 against French Kiss.
Albion still head the table on goal difference from KCC Dragons, with both sides having 36 points; Wanderers are third with 35 points, and USRC are fourth with 34 points – all having played 17 games.
In the second division, HKDC Mobsters were 4-1 victors over GGFC, ANP drew 2-all with WYFC06, The Store House Hearts won 1-nil against SFALO Oxford, KCC Knights drew 1-all with Antonhill, Azzurri won 5-1 against CSOB, and HKU70’s won 2-1 against Interglobo Colloids.
HKDC Mobsters now lead the table after 17 games with 40 points, with HKU70’s second on 36 points, and The Store House Hearts third with 33 points.
In the third division, Goal Visio were 7-nil victors over Darts, IES won 1-nil against HOB, Dynamo drew 2-all with White Youth, and University won 2-1 against Scorpions.
University lead the table with 44 points from 17 games, with IES second with 42 points form the same number of games.
In the fourth division, Rising Sun drew 1-all with Bapcoll, Power 22 won 1-nil against Outward Bound, HKSS were 4-2 victors over Hung Art, Youth Coaches won 3-nil against Standard Chartered, Grasshoppers won 3-nil against Skyline, and WYFC84 drew 1-all with Friends of Barclays.
Allan Jackson has been involved in Soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
