HONG KONG—Last weekend (Sept 6 and 7) saw the opening round of games for teams in the HKFA 1st Division. This Division started one week earlier than other Divisions due to an increased number of teams participating, as several teams from last year’s first division opted not to participate in the newly formed Premier Division.
The first game of the weekend was Sunday’s clash between Lucky Mile and HKFC at Sports Road, Happy Valley. Lucky Mile made a bright start forcing a couple of saves from HKFC goalkeeper Rudolf Hollaender. However, HKFC gradually started to get into the game and control proceedings. After a few corners yielded little result, HKFC took the lead in the 23rd minute when the Lucky Mile goalkeeper and defence failed to deal with a right wing corner, and Gary Czecny converted a far post header from six yards from Robert Scott’s corner.
HKFC increased their lead in the 31st minute when Michael Hampshere headed in the second from the edge of the centre of the penalty box from a forward ball from Frederik Schipper.
HKFC added a third in the 40th minute when a high lob from the centre circle was played to the right wing where it was well controlled by Carlo Delibero who then fired in a low cross to the centre edge of the penalty box, where Amro Abbass laid the ball off for Hampshire to fire a fierce drive into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. HKFC went into the half-time break with a 3-nil lead.
The second half became a fairly stodgy affair with HKFC in control of the game with few goal mouth incidents. However, HKFC eventual applied some pressure and Lucky Mile wilted in the hot conditions. In the 81st minute Rob Scott eluded the defence to break into the Lucky Mile penalty box, and then the six yard box, before squaring last the goalkeeper, giving Mike Wilson a simple tap in from five yards into an empty net.
HKFC completed the scoring in the 88th minute when a flick from Wilson to Scott saw the latter apply a sharp finish past the goalkeeper, and a final score of 5-nil to HKFC.
In the days other matches, Southern defeated Double Flower 2-1, promoted Metro Gallery Sun Source beat Happy Valley 5-nil, Shatin won 5-nil against Wanchai, Yau Tsim Mong won 2-1 against Citizen, Kwai Tsing defeated Tai Chung 6-nil, and Tuen Mun were 2-1 victors over Sun Hei.
In the other division to start their season, division three, St Josephs and King Mountain drew 2-all, Fukien defeated Ornament 4-0, Tung Sing Won 7-1 against Islands, Central and Western District and Rainbow Legend North District drew 0-0, GFC Friends defeated Lung Moon 7-0,KCDRSC and Telecom drew 1-1, and Kowloon Cricket Club were 1-0 victors over Fu Moon.
The other divisions commence their seasons this coming weekend Sept 13 and 14.
Yau Yee League
The first round of season matches of the Yau Yee League also starts this coming weekend Sept 13 and 14.
