Milne on mark to bolster Sing Tao

RALPH Milne's second goal for Sing Tao - and his first in the league - was enough to give the side a 1-0 victory over Happy Valley in a Hongkong First Division match at Shamshuipo Sports Ground last night.

The 31-year-old former Manchester United winger, who opened his account for Sing Tao with one of their nine goals against British Forces in a Camelpaint Challenge Shield tie in November, struck in the 58th minute.

He rounded the Valley goalkeeper and scored from a narrow angle to give his side their third successive league victory.

The three points moved them on to 13 from seven matches and lifted them into fourth place in the table, two points adrift of Eastern and Michelotti and behind third-placed Kitchee only on goal difference.

After leaking in 10 goals in their opening three league matches, Sing Tao have now kept four successive clean sheets in the First Division and have conceded only one goal in their last six league and Cup games - against South China in the Challenge Shieldsemi-final.

But the problems mount for Valley, who are still looking for their first win of the season.

Preferring to use mainland Chinese rather than British players as their overseas contingent this season, Valley have scored only three goals and collected only three points in seven outings and desperately need some punch up front if they are to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Although they kept Sing Tao goalkeeper Peter Guthrie on his toes for much of the game, they played right into his hands with a succession of aimless high crosses.

Valley did come close to scoring on two occasions, however. Guthrie denied new signing Alan Reis just before half-time with a fine low save and, three minutes into the second half, turned over a fierce drive from veteran playmaker Leung Nang-yan.

But the Sing Tao rearguard, who thrive on defending narrow leads, were able to keep Valley at a safe distance.

Sing Tao's only real setbacks were having midfielder Paul Murray booked for a retaliatory foul and left-winger Alan Chan Tsz-kong carried off in the 35th minute with a twisted right ankle.