Flourish yields Instant results
A FOUR-GOAL burst in a 13-minute second-half spell helped Instant-Dict beat stubborn British Forces 5-1 last night at Shamshuipo Sports Ground, taking them past defending champions South China into third place in the Hongkong First Division.
The soldiers had put up an impressive fight in the first half, which ended 1-1 after Neil Wildridge's 42nd-minute equaliser for bottom-of-the-table Forces, still seeking their first point in the Sunflower Travel league.
Despite one of their best performances of the season, Forces were unable to sustain their challenge and Instant-Dict have now won their past three games, including a 3-0 defeat of South China. They have 21 points from 11 matches.
Sweeper Pat Russell continued his impressive recent form at the heart of the Forces defence but was powerless when the opposition hit their purple patch in the 50th minute.
Striker Marko Perinovic and winger Adrian Thorpe both scored a brace during the spell, adding to left-winger Lam Hing-lun's opener for Instant-Dict.
Lam put his side ahead in the 17th minute after Cheung Chi-tak's free kick into the box.
Chan Fat-chi had his header parried away by Forces goalkeeper Andy Marks and Lam headed in the rebound.
Perinovic's fierce volley cannoned off the crossbar three minutes later but Forces struck next.
Tony McAllister darted down the middle before sending a through ball for Wildridge who made no mistake with his shot.
Instant-Dict, without key midfielder Steve Berry who is recovering from 'flu, dominated the second half with four more goals without reply, Perinovic getting his first in the 50th minute when he rose to head in Chan Chi-kwong's cross.
Thorpe made it 3-1 five minutes later when he skilfully broke through Forces' defence before crashing home from 20 yards.
Perinovic added his second four minutes later when he picked up Cheung's cross before turning around to blast the ball in from close range.
Thorpe scored the best goal of the night when he dribbled down the middle again before slamming home in the 63rd minute.
The points safe, Instant-Dict now look to the arrival of new signing Ian McParland, who is expected to add new bite into their attack when he arrives in the territory on Saturday.
More soccer: Page 27
