INSTANT-Dict got the result they had been looking for all season - but it came all too late as they thrashed a second-string Eastern 3-0 at Mongkok Stadium last night, writes Unus Alladin.
Instant were too strong for champions Eastern, who rested all but one of their foreign players and fielded a virtual reserve team for the match which came just 48 hours after their defeat by Italian giants Sampdoria.
Missing for Eastern were goalkeeper Iain Hesford, defender/midfielder Tim O'Shea, wingers Ross Greer and Lee Kin-wo and forwards Tony Sealy and Dale Tempest.
Only defender Brian Hayes and midfielder Tam Siu-wai, playing his last game for Eastern before his move to Rangers, were in the Eastern line-up.
Chan Chi-kwong opened Instant's account in the 20th minute with a powerful shot past reserve 'keeper Tong Tak-kin.
Veteran striker Chan Fat-chi made it 2-0 when he nodded in Lam Hin-lun's cross five minutes later.