What can I say? Both teams played hard! It was not an overly skilled game to watch as Adanac was a little bumpy to say the least. We opened the scoring on a saved penalty by Parker from a Harkinson attempt that resulted in a goal-mouth scramble and a 6 yard shot from Howes that finally found the net. We carried some of the play after that and had a couple of beautiful chances in close remarkably saved by John Parker. Then all of a sudden Steve Brown of Peace Arch finds some open room in the midfield, takes the space and unleashes a 30-40 yard cannon. What a beauty! 1-1 at that point and the game becomes more even. I think it was suffice to say that goal by Brownie deflated us for several moments. Halftime break and we regrouped. I took a corner (it was a beauty.......have to qualify that because I will sewer myself later in this post) and it found the head of Reeder and it was 2-1. Peace Arch pressed and pressed and they did get caught on several counters and such but and it turned out to be a big but, we did not score. 10 minutes left in the game, Peace Arch's Paddy ( I apologize for forgetting his name, excellent player) scored from a poorly cleared ball inside the six. 2-2 and overtime. What happened in overtime typifies our postseason. Peace Arch scored on a header from 5BT's and it was a beauty as well. His celebration was something to behold. Off came the shirt and he was flailing it around like a lariat and the PA boys were screaming with joy. I was in shock. This can't be happening! Please somebody do something! Ahh yes, my linesman buddy on the east side who called me offside a few times had his flag up. Oh my! The shirt quietly and sadly found itself back on the body of my buddy 5BT's and the game carried on. Was it offside? Honestly, I can't tell you. Some neutral observers say yes. Some say no.
Penalty shots. 5 volunteers. "I'll shoot first" As I was walking up to the ball I remembered the last several weeks and my youth team I coach going through peno training for cup play. My demonstrations for the boys were not very good. I haven't missed a penalty since I played the Whitecaps reserves (80's)eons ago but as I was walking, I had that sick feeling and I wanted to turn around and walk back to the centre circle, but how could I do that? I set up the ball on a piece of grass that I could find and then proceeded to shoot it right at Parker. I almost puked. Then I did slowly walk back to the centre circle, sat myself down and watched the procession. Howes shot and scored. Muirhead shot, it hit Parker and squeezed through his legs. Nutmeg! Dougie scored. He walks back smiling and then promptly gives us shit for not cheering for his effort. We cheered. To close this up, two PA players missed, Danny Christie who hit the crossbar and in a cruel twist of fate, Steve Brown sent one flying over the crossbar. Farquhar had the privilege of being the 6th shooter and with all the marbles, and a few heckles, he slotted it and we once again defeated an excellent Peace Arch squad.
It is getting harder and harder to beat these guys. They are a tough bunch. They don't give up. They can play! I do have to tell you, John Parker is one of the best goalies I have played against and with. Our goalie Angelo Bonato will tell you the same.
I am battered and bruised and cramping and I am at work. I just came back from an emergency call from a lice-infested house where all the occupants have been coughing violently for 5 -13 hours straight. I limped into the house but when it was time to get out, I was able to run.
I feel itchy and I'm coughing. Thank goodness we won. It's not so bad dealing with cooties when you win.
Off to the finals where we hope we can salvage what we gave up last year in the Final. We haven't exactly strolled into the Finals, but should we be able to? Every good team needs luck and this year we have gotten it. I feel bad for the PA guys, especially the guys who missed the penos. They both played so well and they don't deserve that fate. As for me, I hope to wait a while before I 'volunteer' to take another one. But you never know, it's how you feel at the time. Right now I feel itchy.