Just for Jessie Bains.....We didn't play this weekend, so I thought I'd give you a weekend review
Six out of the 7 scheduled Premier Division games were played this past weekend with virtually no upsets taking place. The only game that was postponed was the Sunday contest between Sporting Club and Indo-Akal FC. Unfortunately, that marks the third time this season that Sporting Club has had one of its games postponed, leaving the defending Province Cup champions well behind the rest of the teams in games played. In Group ‘A’, ICSF Inter fell further behind the Metro-Ford Wolves by dropping a 2-0 decision to the league leaders, while at the bottom of the table Westside Rino finally won its first game of the season at the expense of the struggling West Van FC. In Group ‘B’, two of the three title contenders—Surrey United and the Sapperton Rovers—won their games easily, while the third contender—Columbus-Clan FC—was held to a tie by the Firefighters in a cross-over match. At the bottom of the Group ‘B’ table, the Burnaby Canadians got an all-important 3 points in their all-important match against the last place Croatia SC, while the AFC Leopards and the Norvan Eagles remain only a couple of points ahead of the Croatians.
The weekend’s activities began on Friday evening at the newly-build turf field at Charles Best School in Coquitlam where the undefeated Metro-Ford Wolves hosted the second place ICSF Inter in a Group ‘A’ rematch. In their first meeting, Metro-Ford had beaten ICSF by a 2-0 score despite the fact that Inter carried most of the play. On this occasion, the only similarity between the two encounters was the final score as the Wolves once again came away 2-0 victors. The game was a very well-played and entertaining affair with a large and excited crowd in attendance. Metro-Ford dominated the first part of the game, scored an early goal, on a header by Andrew Veer from an Emilio Bottiglieri corner kick, and missed a couple of other golden goal-scoring chances. ICSF retaliated late in the first half and for most of the second half but was kept at bay by the tenacious defensive work of Metro-Ford’s backline. In particular, right back Aaron Beattie and centre-back Brook Scott, turned in stellar performances in keeping the vaunted Inter attackers at bay. Goalkeeper Mathew Bird was also at his best making several key saves, one in particular on a vicious drive by Kevin Crouch. The goalpost also came to the Wolves’ aid as Laurent Scaligine’s shot rattled off the woodwork with Bird beaten. At the other end of the pitch, Metro-Ford was also very dangerous with a few lethal counter-attacks that had the Inter defence back on its heels. On two separate occasions, goalkeeper Dennis Kindel had to make sensational saves to thwart breakaway chances by Russel Huggon. Late in the game, on yet another counter-attack, newly signed Milan Francisty curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top of the ICSF net from the edge of the penalty area for Metro-Ford’s insurance marker. As a result of the victory, the Wolves are now solidly in first place in the Group ‘A’ standings, with a record of 6-2-0, while Inter is 5 points behind, albeit with a game in hand.
On Saturday, at South Memorial Park in Vancouver, two top contenders— the Vancouver Firefighters and Columbus-Clan FC—met in an all-important cross-over. Both teams desperately needed the victory to stay in the running for their respective group title. As luck would have it, however, both teams had to settle for a 2-2 tie after a very exciting 90 minutes of play. Despite the fact that it ended scoreless, the first half provided the numerous fans with a lot of action as both teams took turns attacking in search of the all-important first goal. However, it wasn’t until the midway point of the second half that Columbus finally took the lead when substitute Pammi Birring was sent in all alone by a brilliantly-executed through ball from veteran Gino Gaita. Shortly thereafter, the Firemen knotted the score as two youngsters—Philip Lensky and Jeff Buchanan—combined for the equalizer. Lensky’s perfect pass found an unmarked Buchanan who calmly slotted the ball past Columbus’ goalkeeper, youth call-up Erman Ozkan. With about 10 minutes to go in the match, the Firefighters took the lead when Justin Student was fouled by Ozkan inside the Columbus penalty area. Another Firemen youngster, Gavin Hobbs, scored on the ensuing penalty kick to give his team the late lead. Columbus, however, came roaring back and got a late goal from veteran Tiernan King—after young Stefan Leslie had made a great penetrating run down the right flank. As mentioned earlier, the single point does not help either team as Columbus is now 5 points behind Surrey United in the Group ‘B’ standings, while the Firefighters are 7 points behind the Group ‘A’ leading Metro-Ford Wolves.
Also on Saturday, at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, Westside Rino finally broke out of its slump by defeating West Van FC by a narrow 1-0 margin. Adam Roe scored the game’s only goal with only a few minutes remaining in the match to give Westside its first win of the season. The younger and fitter Westside boys demonstrated a greater degree of confidence and discipline than in their past performances, mostly due to the return to action of playing-coach Slobodan Aleksis and midfielder Alex Kosanin. The loss drops West Van into a last place tie with Westside and the idle Indo-Akal FC in the Group ‘A’ table. As we’re approaching the midway point of the season, it’s beginning to look like one of these three teams will be relegated to Division 1.
On Sunday, at Burnaby Lake West, Surrey United maintained its recent impressive form with a 6-1 victory over the host AFC Leopards. The Group ‘B’ leaders got off to a flying start and took an early 1-0 lead on a splendid goal by veteran Shawn Blakeway who broke through the defence before hammering a low shot into the net. Five minutes later, the Cloverdale team added a second goal when a neat passing play between Todd Stauber and Clayton Dobbin set up teenager Harpreet Khakh who curled a brilliant shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area. Remarkably, this is Khakh’s third goal in 3 successive games since his call-up from the youth ranks. Shortly thereafter, Surrey United added a third goal when defender Tom Elliot headed home a great cross from Todd Stauber. Late in the first half, Steve Millar converted a penalty kick—awarded when Blakeway was brought down in the penalty box to give Surrey a well-deserved 4-0 halftime lead. Early in the second half, Surrey conceded a goal when an uncharacteristic turnover resulted in recently-transferred Admir Salihoric first goal in Premier Division action. Second half substitute Darren Villars and veteran Steve Millar—with his second of the match—rounded out the scoring for United. The victory leaves Surrey all alone in first place in the Group ‘B’ standings with an enviable 6-1-1 record, while the Leopards now find themselves in a relegation battle near the bottom of the table with a 2-1-5 record.
Also on Sunday, in a game played at Kinsman Stadium in North Vancouver, the newly-promoted Norvan Eagles hosted the Sapperton Rovers in a very important match for both teams. The Rovers are still in contention for the Group ‘B’ title, while the young Norvan team is trying desperately to remain in the Premier Division despite its lack of experience. The final result, 4-1 in favour of Sapperton, does not come as a major surprise as the Rovers have several proven veterans on their squad, as well as a few emerging youngsters with much potential. Forty-year old Paul Favaro celebrated his birthday in style by scoring 3 clinically-finished goals for the Rovers, while young Colin Phillips added a goal of his own to the winning cause. Speedy Blake Burgon replied for the Eagles with his second goal in as many games. Defensively, Roy Mattarollo and Sven Wagner played extremely well for the Rovers, while the veteran Favaro brothers—Mike and Paul—were once again at their best in the Sapperton midfield. The victory leaves Sapperton in second place in the Group ‘B’ standing, 2 points behind Surrey United, while the Eagles are still near the bottom of the table, only 2 points ahead of Croatia SC.
Finally, on Sunday at Hastings Bowl, Croatia SC and the Burnaby Canadians met in yet another very important affair since both teams are languishing near the bottom of the Group ‘B’ standings. Despite the fact that Croatia took a well-deserved 3-2 halftime lead, it was the Canadians that emerged victorious by a 5-3 score. To say that the result is a disappointment to Croatia SC and its numerous supporters would be an understatement. Croatia took an early 2-0 lead as newly-signed Matt Mori scored twice on opportunistic counter-attacks. The never-say-die Canadians, however, came roaring back and scored twice as Meysam Soltani and Bryan Jacoboni tallied in rapid succession. Before the halftime whistle, Croatia once again took the lead as Fabian Moreno headed home a perfect cross from Dave Mori, who has just entered the field as a substitute. The second half started out promisingly for the Croatians as they created numerous goal-scoring chances, a few of them thwarted by the amazing goalkeeping of Adam Alvaro. But, as often happens, it was Burnaby that scored 3 unanswered goals to lay claim to all 3 points. Gordon Chin, Mike Masi, and Meysam Soltani—with his second of the match—scored the second half goals for the Canadians. The victory leaves Burnaby at 9 points in the Group ‘B’ standings, while Croatia SC is mired in last place with a rather dismal 1-2-5 record.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: METRO-FORD WOLVES for their excellent performance in defeating the very talented ICSF Inter by a 2-0 margin. The Wolves carried the play for most of the first half, were unlucky not to be ahead by a wider margin, and then held off the defending
VMSL Premier Division champions in the second half to lay claim to the very important 3 points. As a result of the victory, Metro-Ford remains unbeaten with an enviable 6-2-0 record.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sapperton Rovers’ veteran PAUL FAVARO who celebrated his 40th birthday with an amazing 3 goals in his team’s 4-1 victory over the Norvan Eagles. All 3 goals were things of beauty as Favaro demonstrated his amazing skill level and goal scoring prowess. For his outstanding performance, FAVARO will receive a prize of a pizza for two, compliments of THE GOLDEN BOOT CAFFE`. The prize is available up to 2005-11-15. The pizza must be consumed on the premises. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!