South China moved a step closer to the top of the table after scraping through a nervy 2-1 win over Happy Valley in the Coolpoint Ventilation First Division at Mong Kok Stadium last night.
The victory put the Caroliners third in the table with 20 points from eight outings, just one point behind joint leaders Citizen and Tai Po, but they have a game in hand.
Despite taking a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first half, South China failed to maintain the momentum, allowing Valley to hit back after the break and the Caroliners were fortunate to escape with the three points.
'We were very conservative in the second half,' said captain Chan Wai-ho, who was forced to limp off from the field in the second half due to a foot injury.
Team convener Steven Lo Kit-sing, however, blamed the rough play of Valley players in the second half which explained why they didn't increase their lead after the break. Chan gave South China an early lead when he headed home a free-kick from Vandre Monteiro with just nine minutes gone.
Maxwell Santos then added a second with a powerful free-kick from just outside the box 10 minutes later.