INSTANT-DICT showed they had recovered from their Viceroy Cup final blues by crushing Rangers 4-0 in the first round of the Esso FA Cup at Mongkok Stadium last night. Instant, who were beaten by Eastern in the Challenge Shield final last December and by South China in the Viceroy final on April 3, proved they had lost none of their hunger to win their first major trophy in Hong Kong football with a classy and clinical second-half display. Without their suspended 17-goal striker Graham Harvey, Instant's leading scorer Ian McParland lacked support up front in a goalless first half. But all that changed after the break and there was only one winner once Instant had taken the lead in the 52nd minute through midfielder Ng Kam-hung, who took advantage of the opportunity made for him by lively left-winger Lam Hing-lun. Instant made it 2-0 six minutes later with a goal for veteran Chan Fat-chi, making a rare appearance in the starting line-up, and their third came from Lam with 15 minutes remaining. With the Rangers defence in disarray, Lam slid the ball under the advancing 'keeper, Li Chun-fat, for the goal his attacking flair deserved. With only two minutes to go, Instant sent on teenager Lai Cheuk-ho for right-winger Chan Chi-kwong - and the number 13 shirt proved lucky for the Hong Kong youth team player as he drove in his side's fourth goal in injury time. Rangers' cause was not helped by losing Billy Bone from their midfield in the 27th minute with a shoulder injury. Without his drive and passing, lone striker Dean Edwards was left to chase lost causes. Instant now play Kitchee in the FA Cup quarter-final at Mongkok Stadium next Thursday. After the game, Instant's Malaysian coach, Koo Luam-khen, had words of praise for goal-scorer Lai. ''That was his first appearance in the first team and I think he will remember it for the rest of his life. He took his chance very well considering he'd only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes,'' said Koo. Meanwhile, Sing Tao, ousted from the Esso FA Cup on Tuesday, take on Kitchee in a league game tonight at Mongkok Stadium. A win for Kitchee will take them to fifth place ahead of Happy Valley in their final league game this season. Kitchee last night informed their two Brazilians, Antonyo and Rogerio, that their services were no longer required - and issued them with flight tickets home - leaving at 8am today. Instant-Dict (4-4-2): Chan Sau-yin; Yeung Kin-keung, Yan Lik-kin (Chiu Chun-man 83), Sean Edwards, Ng Chun-chung; Chan Chi-kwong (Lai Cheuk-ho 88), Steve Berry, Ng Kam-hung, Lam Hing-lun; Ian McParland, Chan Fat-chi. Rangers (4-5-1): Li Chun-fat; Tang Chi-ming (Cheung Yiu-lun 65), Poon Ka-ming, Wong Wai-tak, Lai Wing-cheong; Yeung Kin-wah, Trevor Quow, Billy Bone (Pau Ka-yiu 27), Justin Crowe, Chan Chi-hong; Dean Edwards. Man of the Match Lam Hing-lun (Instant-Dict)
