Six-goal Dickies thunder ahead
Instant-Dict new boy Ian Baird bagged a hat-trick as the league leaders romped to a 6-1 Ericsson League victory over struggling Rangers at the Mongkok Stadium last night.
Former Leeds striker Baird took his tally to five goals in three starts in a one-sided clash which puts the Dickies a healthy eight points clear at the top of the table.
On last night's evidence Baird looks increasingly like Instant's signing of the season. As well as having a keen eye for goal around the penalty area, the 33-year-old former England schoolboy international is also the perfect foil for attacking partner Paul Foster and is adept at holding the ball up and bringing teammates into play.
Instant threatened to run away with last night's game right from the kick-off, sweeping imperiously upfield to set up Foster's opening goal in the second minute.
To their credit, Rangers got back on level terms immediately, Leung Chi-wing equalising in the fifth minute with a marvellous dipping strike from 25 yards.
They went close again soon afterwards, but Nigerian striker Emmanuel Akile panicked in front of goal and blazed over the bar after being put clear on Instant keeper Chung Ho-yin.
Instant remained unfazed, however, and when Baird opened his account with a perfectly judged header at the far post in the 25th minute, the result was never in doubt.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Foster slotted in his second after a Bredbury cross and, moments later, Baird made it 4-1 after glancing in a Ricky Cheng Sin Siu-chung cross.
Ten minutes from time, Cheng - who had a quiet game - got in on the act, scrambling in a close-range effort after some confusion in the Rangers six-yard box.
Baird completed his hat-trick seven minutes from time by rising bravely to head in his team's sixth.
