Reigning Metfone C-League champions Boeung Ket Rubber Field were not their usual prolific selves on Saturday, but still managed to get the job done over Preah Khan Reach to open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

The Kampong Cham-based club had averaged just over four goals a game before their encounter with the Military Police-backed side, but were forced to accept a 1-0 win at Olympic Stadium, with Nigerian striker Bisan George returning from injury to net his tenth goal of the campaign.  

Later on Saturday, Phnom Penh Crown were held to a surprise goalless stalemate by league newcomers Asia Europe University.

Over at the Old Stadium, Build Bright United finally kick-started their season with a 3-1 victory against rock-bottom Senate Secretariat.

A rapid-fire brace by David Ekele-chukwu in the first half was rounded off with his hat-trick strike in stoppage time at the end of the tie after Prum Puthsethy had pegged one back.

The result handed BBU their first 2013 league win and lifted them out of the drop zone.

Kirivong Sok Sen Chey’s 3-1 defeat of Ministry of National Defence in their Olympic Stadium clash yesterday fired the Takeo club up into third, two points behind PKR, while a 2-2 draw between Naga Corp and National Police Commissary helped Naga snatch fourth off Crown, albeit on goal difference.

Nwakuna Friday grabbed the lead for Kirivong on the half-hour mark. Phoung Soksana then brought things back level for the Army side on 58 minutes.

Moments later, Friday notched his second of the day before Savon Ratanakvisa put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute.

Naga’s Prak Chanratana and Teab Vathanak, and Police’s An Jinya and Jole Omokara, got their names on the score sheet in an entertaining, late kick-off fixture.

Naga will face Kirivong and BBU will play Police on Wednesday before the league is put on pause for the New Year break.