Golden rage at ref after Cup exit

GOLDEN launched a scathing attack on referee Fong Fat-wah as the First Division newcomers ended their campaign on a bitter note following a 3-1 defeat by champions Eastern in the San Miguel FA Cup semi-final at Mongkok Stadium yesterday.

Golden president Simon Wan Chi-lok blamed referee Fong for his club's first defeat by Eastern this season saying he failed to punish two incidents which subsequently led to the champions' second and third goals.

Eastern's second goal, scored by Ross Greer from a counter-attack in the 72nd-minute, should not have been allowed according to Wan because Golden should have been awarded a corner after Eastern centre-half Tim O'Shea had made a clearance when the ball was out of play.

And he blamed Fong's lack of moral judgment for Eastern's third five minutes later saying O'Shea had handled the ball inside his own area seconds before Golden defender Yan Wo-kan had put the ball into his own net.

Wan said: 'Every time we have to complain about the referees. Today's game, or I should say Hong Kong football, is being ruined by the poor standard of refereeing. All our players played extremely well today. If we hadn't missed so many chances in the first half, we could have beaten them.' Golden looked set to make a match of it despite missing three key players.

They were without outstanding winger Darren Currie, who decided to stay at West Ham, Dutch central defender Marlon Van Der Sander and talented local midfielder Chiu Chung-man, who were both suspended.