Dickies ready to put an end to Caroliners' run of escapes

CHAMPIONS Instant-Dict take on title chasing South China in today's First Division soccer clash at the Hong Kong Stadium.

South China, still plagued by a number of key injuries, have made two recent Houdini-like escapes which breathed new life to their hopes of winning the first phase championship.

Just when it seemed that they were going to drop vital points, they beat struggling Eastern 2-1 last Sunday thanks to two late own-goals and they were against the ropes again before pulling off a thrilling 4-3 win over Golden on Thursday night, a Lee Kin-wo goal sealing the points three minutes into injury time. That was the Caroliners' last game in the first phase of the league competition.

Instant-Dict are in no mood for any more surprises as they turn their attention away from the first phase and concentrate on getting a good start in the second phase of the competition.

The Dickies have yet to complete their first phase matches - they still have Sing Tao to meet in a match yet to be scheduled - and it seems a bit absurd that they must turn their attention to the second phase.

Instant-Dict team manager Billy Kirkwood will be looking to continue his winning run in the league since taking charge of the champions two weeks ago.

Under Kirkwood, the Dickies have managed two straight wins, against Uhlsport-Rangers (2-0) and Golden (2-1) although they had to work hard for the points.