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Div 1 [VMSL Div 1] Predictions, Results & Banter 2017/2018
- Thread starter kokanee
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VMSL tweeted this out last night. I believe it means they are working on it
That made me laugh! Hahaha
Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Same problem annually. Not enough people at the VMSL taking on responsibility. Pretty sure Geoff Catliff is the only one making all the schedules while also coordinating registrations...
Actually there is a new admin doing registrations. He's been quite helpful already
Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Actually there is a new admin doing registrations. He's been quite helpful already
Good stuff! But does this mean the VMSL has seen the last of Azzi holding court on Friday and Saturday mornings????
Ah yes ..... It was always Saturday's for me. The fresh yet stale smell of Friday night's Vino Rosso in the air as you hand over a hundy to get your Id card back will always be one of those things in life you never forget. Good times
i have no idea who any of these teams are.
Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
A new season is upon us so that must mean it’s time for...
Completely Baseless Predictions:
Completely Baseless SEASON PREVIEW
Many new faces in this year’s Division 1, all of whom will be looking to ensure they remain in the division for another season. At the top who is looking to go up? With North Delta’s departure, only Columbus is in a position to potentially yo-yo back up, so the door is wide open. The division as a whole seems more balanced after a few seasons of being top heavy with the likes of relegated sides such as Columbus, Westside and Norvan alongside upstarts such as Campo, Rinos/Ayjal Tigers and North Delta. Should make for a wide open division this season.
Standard Disclaimer:
For those not familiar with my column, I am largely just pulling this stuff out of thin air. I try to find whatever information is readily available online, but, ultimately, I am just trying to generate some interest in local soccer in BC. If I have omitted or overlooked facts that you consider relevant to your team, it's not done intentionally...get over it...
1) Columbus
Can they do it again? Do they have the players to do it again? Do they have the vision, leadership and desire to do it again? These are all very relevant questions for a team that has long been a pillar of the VMSL. The Italians have suffered their second relegation from the Premier division is as many attempts and the first time it happened there was a concerted effort buy those behind the scenes at the club to get the flagship team back where it belonged. Now that it has happened a second time though, does the same fire still burn within the club? Or will this once seemingly annual Provincial title contender simply fall into decline? As the only out and out relegated Premier team to be in the division this season, they surely must be favourites to open the season. If they have held onto their core they will rack up enough points on pedigree alone to be in the hunt come the turn of the calendar.
2) Guildford FC
Two years in a row Guildford has almost faded at the identical stretch of the season. It seems as though the New Year brings with it a sense of malaise and disinterest among their group. Just when the games are ratcheting up in intensity, they cannot seem to be bothered to raise their game and show their quality. They now enter year three of a project which began with much fanfare and community involvement; even National recognition with an article in Sportsnet Magazine. Coaches have been replaced, a partnership with CCB has come and gone and revolving carousel of players means it is now a much different landscape out at Newton Athletic. The core group remains intact, however, and with a void of top level talent in the division this season, now is the time for this group to finally kick on and earn a seat at the big boys table in Premier.
3) Metro Athletic
This season’s Div. 2 upstarts and they will no doubt be hoping to emulate the success of last year’s Div. 2 wunderkids, Campo Atletico. Campo sailed straight through Division 1, which is an almost unheard of accomplishment. Their predecessors AC Campobasso failed to do it after arriving on the scene with much expectations and so to was the case for Shaheen and Ayjal Tigers, neither of whom could simply kick straight on into Premier. Ayjal would ultimately make that next step, before rebranding under the Rino’s umbrella while Shaheen has now returned to Division 2 and AC Campobasso completely imploded before rising from the ashes as Campo Atletico. So it is an uncertain path for Metro Athletic, who have dropped the “Burnaby” tag from their name but have kept former UBC starlet Navid Mashinchi. Navid spurned Premier offers to take on this project with his friends two seasons ago in Division 3 and now they have reached the penultimate stage. Can they achieve another promotion? Recent history suggests it is not impossible, however, statistically speaking Campo are clearly an outlier. I think Metro will need to spend at least one more season here.
4) NorVan Lions
A calamitous finish to last season’s campaign saw NorVan throw away their chance to return directly to Premier. Rumors abound of a program in tatters and a lack of leadership. With their cousins the Storm entering the league, perhaps too there is the opportunity for some cannibalization north of the river. You have to believe that the once mighty NorVan surely cannot have fallen too far off the pace. Assuming they have managed to retain their core, they are only one season removed from Premier and should find themselves picking up points and in the mix at the right end of the table.
5) Richmond FC Royals
A surprise vault up the table could be on the cards as a merger between Richmond and South Delta should see an influx of talent on at least one of the two teams. The former South Delta boys took the league by storm two seasons ago finishing in the top half and putting the league on notice. An exodus of player to Richmond FC was said to have been the main factor in their near disastrous campaign last year where they needed until the last weeks of the schedule to confirm their place in the Division for another year. Assuming this merger facilitates access to those players for the Division 1 group once more, look for the Tsawwassen boys to be closer to the right end of the table this time around. This Richmond/South Delta hybrid will draw on many players who generally operate in the summer under the moniker “Delta Blaze” and if their summer performance this year is any indication of their potential (they were a perfect 13 wins on the bounce until their loss in the cup final) this group should prove a handful for most opponents every weekend.
6) Rino’s Fury
The Fury themselves would likely be the first to tell you that they ended up punching above their weight class last season. A solid second half actually saw them in the promotion conversation until the dying weeks of the campaign. With their sister team “Tigers” already in the big show, promotion is now impossibility. Has that hurt their ability to attract and retain players? Possibly, but this seems like a pretty tight knit crew, having earned their way up from Division 2 after many hard seasons. Look for a solid mid-table finish as well as a handful of decent results knicked off the teams above them in the standings. This lot have the vibe of a Binger’s Army 2.0 and should establish themselves as a quality group on the pitch in the league as well as a quality group around the cooler afterwards.
7) Binger’s Army
Binger’s Army 1.0, meanwhile, is another year older. In desperate need of some youth in order to eat up big minutes, Bingers will likely be good for one or two eye popping, title race skewing results, as is customary. I still see them having far too much veteran experience to be dragged into a relegation fight, but the years are not getting any kinder to the Army. Should have enough quality thought to ensure their 15th (or at least somewhere in that ballpark) consecutive season in Division 1; truly remarkable consistency!
8) GN Sporting
Is this GN’s top team? What is going on out in Surrey? After nearly surviving relegation, to being relegated on a technicality, to being handed a reprieve via a BC Soccer appeal it’s certainly not a club that one would automatically assume is in a position of strength. Yet, rather than focus on building one team into a contender, or at least into a group that is not in a struggle to survive, they have expanded their operation. Being in the same division removes any potential CATing possibilities, so are we to assume that GN has the resources and talent to be able to keep two teams in the division? If they have strengthened by bringing in North Delta players who wanted to stay in the VMSL or by raiding for rivals Akal for talent maybe they could even find themselves above mid-table. If they are the same team returning from last season, surely another relegation battle is on the horizon.
9) FC Romania
The Romanians seem to be following a relatively familiar pattern. Each of their three seasons in Division 1 have seen them earn some good early results before slipping into a relegation battle that they ultimately survive. Season four would, at least not on the face of it, appear to offer anything different. You have to expect another lower to mid-table finish for a team that deserves to stay in the league, but has a long way to go to be considered a powerhouse at this level.
10) NorVan Storm
It’s time to shut up and put up for a team that has been clamouring to be in this division for almost three seasons now. North Delta leaving and Rino’s seeking a way to better utilize their CAT opportunities opened the door for the North Shore boys and they were all too happy to accept the invitation to the dance. This group should certainly be able to compete at this level, but competing and winning are two entirely different concepts and it will take wins to stay in the division. Success this season has to be measured by avoiding the drop immediately back down to Division 2 and the Storm should have both the talent and the desire needed to do just that. There’s not too much to chose between places 7-10 in the table, so a few good results could see them finish even higher.
11) Burnaby Selects White Eagles
Newly promoted teams are most often the prime candidates for relegation and the White Eagles certainly fit the bill. Once of Division 1, five seasons ago, and even once upon a time in Premier, Serbia White Eagles, as they were known, went through a break up and restructuring has spawned this current team under the “Burnaby Selects” banner. A strong finish to the season last year, coupled with fixture congestion for their main promotion rival, Norvan Storm, lead to the White Eagles being crowned Champions in Division 2B. Division 1 should prove a real step, however, for a team that were likely considered a surprise package last term.
12) GN North Delta
Who is this team? That is really the question about GN North Delta. Are these players that have spurned a return to the FVSL with Coastal and decided to try and make something of it in the VMSL? Or is this just GN grabbing an extra league spot and filling it with new young guys to get experience? Again, what of Akal? Perhaps a new incarnation to try and hold down a place while their new Division 3 team tries to establish that it can run a program in the VMSL once more? These guys are the definition of a wild card, but until they show their colours, they can only go at the bottom of the table.
Completely Baseless Predictions:
Completely Baseless SEASON PREVIEW
Many new faces in this year’s Division 1, all of whom will be looking to ensure they remain in the division for another season. At the top who is looking to go up? With North Delta’s departure, only Columbus is in a position to potentially yo-yo back up, so the door is wide open. The division as a whole seems more balanced after a few seasons of being top heavy with the likes of relegated sides such as Columbus, Westside and Norvan alongside upstarts such as Campo, Rinos/Ayjal Tigers and North Delta. Should make for a wide open division this season.
Standard Disclaimer:
For those not familiar with my column, I am largely just pulling this stuff out of thin air. I try to find whatever information is readily available online, but, ultimately, I am just trying to generate some interest in local soccer in BC. If I have omitted or overlooked facts that you consider relevant to your team, it's not done intentionally...get over it...
1) Columbus
Can they do it again? Do they have the players to do it again? Do they have the vision, leadership and desire to do it again? These are all very relevant questions for a team that has long been a pillar of the VMSL. The Italians have suffered their second relegation from the Premier division is as many attempts and the first time it happened there was a concerted effort buy those behind the scenes at the club to get the flagship team back where it belonged. Now that it has happened a second time though, does the same fire still burn within the club? Or will this once seemingly annual Provincial title contender simply fall into decline? As the only out and out relegated Premier team to be in the division this season, they surely must be favourites to open the season. If they have held onto their core they will rack up enough points on pedigree alone to be in the hunt come the turn of the calendar.
2) Guildford FC
Two years in a row Guildford has almost faded at the identical stretch of the season. It seems as though the New Year brings with it a sense of malaise and disinterest among their group. Just when the games are ratcheting up in intensity, they cannot seem to be bothered to raise their game and show their quality. They now enter year three of a project which began with much fanfare and community involvement; even National recognition with an article in Sportsnet Magazine. Coaches have been replaced, a partnership with CCB has come and gone and revolving carousel of players means it is now a much different landscape out at Newton Athletic. The core group remains intact, however, and with a void of top level talent in the division this season, now is the time for this group to finally kick on and earn a seat at the big boys table in Premier.
3) Metro Athletic
This season’s Div. 2 upstarts and they will no doubt be hoping to emulate the success of last year’s Div. 2 wunderkids, Campo Atletico. Campo sailed straight through Division 1, which is an almost unheard of accomplishment. Their predecessors AC Campobasso failed to do it after arriving on the scene with much expectations and so to was the case for Shaheen and Ayjal Tigers, neither of whom could simply kick straight on into Premier. Ayjal would ultimately make that next step, before rebranding under the Rino’s umbrella while Shaheen has now returned to Division 2 and AC Campobasso completely imploded before rising from the ashes as Campo Atletico. So it is an uncertain path for Metro Athletic, who have dropped the “Burnaby” tag from their name but have kept former UBC starlet Navid Mashinchi. Navid spurned Premier offers to take on this project with his friends two seasons ago in Division 3 and now they have reached the penultimate stage. Can they achieve another promotion? Recent history suggests it is not impossible, however, statistically speaking Campo are clearly an outlier. I think Metro will need to spend at least one more season here.
4) NorVan Lions
A calamitous finish to last season’s campaign saw NorVan throw away their chance to return directly to Premier. Rumors abound of a program in tatters and a lack of leadership. With their cousins the Storm entering the league, perhaps too there is the opportunity for some cannibalization north of the river. You have to believe that the once mighty NorVan surely cannot have fallen too far off the pace. Assuming they have managed to retain their core, they are only one season removed from Premier and should find themselves picking up points and in the mix at the right end of the table.
5) Richmond FC Royals
A surprise vault up the table could be on the cards as a merger between Richmond and South Delta should see an influx of talent on at least one of the two teams. The former South Delta boys took the league by storm two seasons ago finishing in the top half and putting the league on notice. An exodus of player to Richmond FC was said to have been the main factor in their near disastrous campaign last year where they needed until the last weeks of the schedule to confirm their place in the Division for another year. Assuming this merger facilitates access to those players for the Division 1 group once more, look for the Tsawwassen boys to be closer to the right end of the table this time around. This Richmond/South Delta hybrid will draw on many players who generally operate in the summer under the moniker “Delta Blaze” and if their summer performance this year is any indication of their potential (they were a perfect 13 wins on the bounce until their loss in the cup final) this group should prove a handful for most opponents every weekend.
6) Rino’s Fury
The Fury themselves would likely be the first to tell you that they ended up punching above their weight class last season. A solid second half actually saw them in the promotion conversation until the dying weeks of the campaign. With their sister team “Tigers” already in the big show, promotion is now impossibility. Has that hurt their ability to attract and retain players? Possibly, but this seems like a pretty tight knit crew, having earned their way up from Division 2 after many hard seasons. Look for a solid mid-table finish as well as a handful of decent results knicked off the teams above them in the standings. This lot have the vibe of a Binger’s Army 2.0 and should establish themselves as a quality group on the pitch in the league as well as a quality group around the cooler afterwards.
7) Binger’s Army
Binger’s Army 1.0, meanwhile, is another year older. In desperate need of some youth in order to eat up big minutes, Bingers will likely be good for one or two eye popping, title race skewing results, as is customary. I still see them having far too much veteran experience to be dragged into a relegation fight, but the years are not getting any kinder to the Army. Should have enough quality thought to ensure their 15th (or at least somewhere in that ballpark) consecutive season in Division 1; truly remarkable consistency!
8) GN Sporting
Is this GN’s top team? What is going on out in Surrey? After nearly surviving relegation, to being relegated on a technicality, to being handed a reprieve via a BC Soccer appeal it’s certainly not a club that one would automatically assume is in a position of strength. Yet, rather than focus on building one team into a contender, or at least into a group that is not in a struggle to survive, they have expanded their operation. Being in the same division removes any potential CATing possibilities, so are we to assume that GN has the resources and talent to be able to keep two teams in the division? If they have strengthened by bringing in North Delta players who wanted to stay in the VMSL or by raiding for rivals Akal for talent maybe they could even find themselves above mid-table. If they are the same team returning from last season, surely another relegation battle is on the horizon.
9) FC Romania
The Romanians seem to be following a relatively familiar pattern. Each of their three seasons in Division 1 have seen them earn some good early results before slipping into a relegation battle that they ultimately survive. Season four would, at least not on the face of it, appear to offer anything different. You have to expect another lower to mid-table finish for a team that deserves to stay in the league, but has a long way to go to be considered a powerhouse at this level.
10) NorVan Storm
It’s time to shut up and put up for a team that has been clamouring to be in this division for almost three seasons now. North Delta leaving and Rino’s seeking a way to better utilize their CAT opportunities opened the door for the North Shore boys and they were all too happy to accept the invitation to the dance. This group should certainly be able to compete at this level, but competing and winning are two entirely different concepts and it will take wins to stay in the division. Success this season has to be measured by avoiding the drop immediately back down to Division 2 and the Storm should have both the talent and the desire needed to do just that. There’s not too much to chose between places 7-10 in the table, so a few good results could see them finish even higher.
11) Burnaby Selects White Eagles
Newly promoted teams are most often the prime candidates for relegation and the White Eagles certainly fit the bill. Once of Division 1, five seasons ago, and even once upon a time in Premier, Serbia White Eagles, as they were known, went through a break up and restructuring has spawned this current team under the “Burnaby Selects” banner. A strong finish to the season last year, coupled with fixture congestion for their main promotion rival, Norvan Storm, lead to the White Eagles being crowned Champions in Division 2B. Division 1 should prove a real step, however, for a team that were likely considered a surprise package last term.
12) GN North Delta
Who is this team? That is really the question about GN North Delta. Are these players that have spurned a return to the FVSL with Coastal and decided to try and make something of it in the VMSL? Or is this just GN grabbing an extra league spot and filling it with new young guys to get experience? Again, what of Akal? Perhaps a new incarnation to try and hold down a place while their new Division 3 team tries to establish that it can run a program in the VMSL once more? These guys are the definition of a wild card, but until they show their colours, they can only go at the bottom of the table.
Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
I'm sure everyone has been waiting...
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 1:
NorVan Lions v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
It's a soft landing for NorVan after their failed promotion bid last term, as they get to ease into the season against a newly promoted team. Burnaby will be charged up and ready for their debut at this level, but after an early storm I expect NorVan's quality to show through. An upset here would speak volumes about NorVan and their potential for the season. Never any reason to hit the panic button after Week 1, but failure to pick up all three points against a team that figures to be at the opposite end of the table does not bode well for a promotion/title bid. A statement win would go a long way to setting NorVan off on the right foot for a solid season.
Columbus v Romania
Columbus are in a similar position as their former Premier cohorts, NorVan. Romania are an experienced bunch and will give an side a quality run out, but if the Italians are looking to set their sights and yet another immediate return to the top flight then these points are essential. A loss would hardly spell total disaster, but points are precious commodities in a promotion race and Columbus would do well not to squander any to a team that are not likely to be in the promotion mix come January. For a team coming down a level, recapturing that winning feeling is surely paramount in the club's mind. After a year of constant losses, getting off to a winning start will do a world of good psychologically and hopefully set things up for a positive season.
NorVan Storm v Guilford FC
We'll call this one the MOTW for Week 1 as the plucky, newly "promoted" NorVan Storm have their first chance to show their pedigree at this level. It is certainly an intriguing opponent that they have been drawn against in Round 1, as Guilford are no so unlike their hosts. The Surrey boys burst onto the scene two seasons ago and really upset the order of things, until ultimately falling short down the stretch. The Storm would certainly be keen for similar success in their debut season as playing relevant football at the right end of the table come the new year would certainly have to be beyond their realistic expectation and is, perhaps, a stretch goal at best. We will get our first chance to gauge what sort of team Guilford will have this season in this one; are they still promotion contenders? Should be a cracking game with a good amount of spirit on both sides. I'll have to take Guildford in this one though as they have the pedigree over their new league-mates and they also traditionally begin the season in good form.
Rino's Fury v Metro Athletic
It's the penultimate step for the Metro boys out of Burnaby, after starting out with life in Division 3, they are now just one rung down the ladder from where they want to go. Navid and co. will be full of piss and vinegar on opening day one imagines and Rino's will do well to weather an early onslaught. The Fury seem made to be Division 1 stalwarts, both do to their make up/personnel as well as the fact that they actually cannot win promotion to Premier. It's long season and the Rino's lads know that. I can see them not being able (or perhaps willing) to match Metro Athletic's intensity this early in the campaign and that might be all the opening the Burnaby boys need to swipe the three points and get off to a dream start in Division 1.
Binger's Army v Richmond FC Royals
Two veteran laden teams who might treat this one as more of a preseason affair as they ease into the schedule. Both have players capable of winning matches, but, overall, not sure if either team will be cranking it up to 11 for Matchday 1. Royals do present a bit of a wildcard and perhaps they have recruited via their new partnership with Richmond FC, so there is a chance they overwhelm the Army. However, based on history, I think this one has draw written all over it.
No idea why GN v GN didn't make the program for Week 1, but, nevertheless, glad to be back up and running for another season!
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 1:
NorVan Lions v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
It's a soft landing for NorVan after their failed promotion bid last term, as they get to ease into the season against a newly promoted team. Burnaby will be charged up and ready for their debut at this level, but after an early storm I expect NorVan's quality to show through. An upset here would speak volumes about NorVan and their potential for the season. Never any reason to hit the panic button after Week 1, but failure to pick up all three points against a team that figures to be at the opposite end of the table does not bode well for a promotion/title bid. A statement win would go a long way to setting NorVan off on the right foot for a solid season.
Columbus v Romania
Columbus are in a similar position as their former Premier cohorts, NorVan. Romania are an experienced bunch and will give an side a quality run out, but if the Italians are looking to set their sights and yet another immediate return to the top flight then these points are essential. A loss would hardly spell total disaster, but points are precious commodities in a promotion race and Columbus would do well not to squander any to a team that are not likely to be in the promotion mix come January. For a team coming down a level, recapturing that winning feeling is surely paramount in the club's mind. After a year of constant losses, getting off to a winning start will do a world of good psychologically and hopefully set things up for a positive season.
NorVan Storm v Guilford FC
We'll call this one the MOTW for Week 1 as the plucky, newly "promoted" NorVan Storm have their first chance to show their pedigree at this level. It is certainly an intriguing opponent that they have been drawn against in Round 1, as Guilford are no so unlike their hosts. The Surrey boys burst onto the scene two seasons ago and really upset the order of things, until ultimately falling short down the stretch. The Storm would certainly be keen for similar success in their debut season as playing relevant football at the right end of the table come the new year would certainly have to be beyond their realistic expectation and is, perhaps, a stretch goal at best. We will get our first chance to gauge what sort of team Guilford will have this season in this one; are they still promotion contenders? Should be a cracking game with a good amount of spirit on both sides. I'll have to take Guildford in this one though as they have the pedigree over their new league-mates and they also traditionally begin the season in good form.
Rino's Fury v Metro Athletic
It's the penultimate step for the Metro boys out of Burnaby, after starting out with life in Division 3, they are now just one rung down the ladder from where they want to go. Navid and co. will be full of piss and vinegar on opening day one imagines and Rino's will do well to weather an early onslaught. The Fury seem made to be Division 1 stalwarts, both do to their make up/personnel as well as the fact that they actually cannot win promotion to Premier. It's long season and the Rino's lads know that. I can see them not being able (or perhaps willing) to match Metro Athletic's intensity this early in the campaign and that might be all the opening the Burnaby boys need to swipe the three points and get off to a dream start in Division 1.
Binger's Army v Richmond FC Royals
Two veteran laden teams who might treat this one as more of a preseason affair as they ease into the schedule. Both have players capable of winning matches, but, overall, not sure if either team will be cranking it up to 11 for Matchday 1. Royals do present a bit of a wildcard and perhaps they have recruited via their new partnership with Richmond FC, so there is a chance they overwhelm the Army. However, based on history, I think this one has draw written all over it.
No idea why GN v GN didn't make the program for Week 1, but, nevertheless, glad to be back up and running for another season!
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Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Coming off a perfect week (including a correct "draw" prediction) the only real question is how long until I get one wrong. The safe money is on instantly
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 2:
Burnaby Metro Athletic v Richmond FC Royals
Apparently the "Burnaby" moniker is back, it seemed as though Metro Athletic had dropped their geographical descriptor coming into this season, but now, after a winning debut, it has returned. Possibly just a clerical error. Whatever the case, Navid and the boys are riding high after a win and an opening day goal for the main man himself. Match Day 2 brings the ever plucky Richmond/South Delta Royals out to Burnaby on a Friday night. A less than inspiring 1-1 with Bingers for the Royals on opening day hardly threw down the gauntlet after the club's off season wheeling and dealing. A win over a likely top of the table contender would do wonders for this group and put the rest of the division on notice that their merger/amalgamation with Richmond has put them in a position to compete with the big boys. Metro are flying high at the moment however and I think that momentum will carry them to a second consecutive win and establish a good toe-hold on the promotion race early in the season.
Guidford FC v Bingers Army
Another season begun and, sure enough, the Army are already just doing what they do best. A 1-1 with Royals was hardly a flashy result on opening day, but it was good enough for one more point than six other teams in the division currently boast. Bingers have served notice that they will continue to be a tricky proposition on the schedule, irrespective of what Father Time may or may not think. Next to face the challenge are Guildford FC. The Surrey boys started the campaign brightly with a win over new boys NorVan Storm last week and they claimed all three points away from home on the North Shore, an area that has been a less than happy hunting ground in recent seasons. Back at home, and in their early season swoon, I suspect Guildford should be too much for the travelling Army to overcome.
GN North Delta v Columbus
After an inauspicious pseudo "bye" to begin the season (the two GN clubs, I presume, agreed to postpone their Week 1 fixture until a later date??) the "North Delta" boys are set for a harsh dose of reality in their first Div. 1 endeavor. Recently relegated Columbus showed their pedigree dispatching Romania on Match Day 1 and, despite the travel, will fancy their chances again this week. As I said in my season preview, GN North Delta are a complete wild card and until they show their hand it will be tough to get a read on them. I'll take the former Premier club comfortably in this one.
Romania v NorVan Lions
Romania will no doubt be upset with their debut performance agaist Columbus, but they will instantly be handed a chance against yet another former Premier team in NorVan Lions. The North Shore boys proved that they should not be counted out of a return to form when they beat newly promoted Serbia 2-1. On the road though it will be a different story, especially against a group keen to avoid an 0-2 start to their season. It was far from a cake walk for NorVan against a newly promoted team, so it stands to reason that a well established Div. 1 side might cause them one or two more problems. After their lackluster finish to last season, NorVan have all the work to do to prove that they deserve to be favourites week in and week out. I'll take a draw in this one.
Burnaby Selects White Eagles v NorVan Storm
This is the MOTW as two newly promoted clubs clash in a bid to get their first points in their new division and really kick start their season's. These two will know each other well as it was the White Eagles pipping NorVan to the title in their Div. 2 pool last season. It was the North Shore boys who had the title to lose last term and lose it they did when fixture congestion due to their Div. 2 Cup repeat ultimately left the door open for the Burnaby crew. Nevertheless, the teams have emerged together in Division 1 and both got off to a losing start in their debuts last weekend. The Storm were well beaten at home by Guildford while the former Serbians kept things closer against the other NorVan outfit, the Lions. A year ago NorVan would have been definite favourites in this fixture, but after letting the title slip and making an inauspicious debut last week, White Eagles likely have to be considered to be trading punches at least at even footing. Both teams will understand the importance of this one as an early relegation 6-pointer and you have to think each team will be going for it in a bid to get all three points. It sets up as a cracker and could easily go either way; I'll tip Burnaby in this one though, based on their seemingly sturdier performance last week.
Rino's Fury v GN Sporting
Not the start Rino's would have been looking for against new boys Burnaby Metro last weekend as they fell 3-1. Presumably Rino's management is still working out the kinks in the new CAT rules and club hierarchy. Hopefully they will have them sorted for this weekend as, after surging to perhaps unrealistic heights last term, the Fury won't be keen on battling it out in the bottom half of the table. The bottom half is certainly where GN found themselves last season as they needed some late heroics (both on and off the field) to ensure that they avoided the trap door. Their off season restructuring has to lead one to believe that they will return with a stronger effort in this campaign, but, until we see some on field evidence of that, it is tough to blindly support that notion. Given they took Week 1 off, there's no evidence to work off of, so I will take Rino's to bag the points at home on Sunday.
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 2:
Burnaby Metro Athletic v Richmond FC Royals
Apparently the "Burnaby" moniker is back, it seemed as though Metro Athletic had dropped their geographical descriptor coming into this season, but now, after a winning debut, it has returned. Possibly just a clerical error. Whatever the case, Navid and the boys are riding high after a win and an opening day goal for the main man himself. Match Day 2 brings the ever plucky Richmond/South Delta Royals out to Burnaby on a Friday night. A less than inspiring 1-1 with Bingers for the Royals on opening day hardly threw down the gauntlet after the club's off season wheeling and dealing. A win over a likely top of the table contender would do wonders for this group and put the rest of the division on notice that their merger/amalgamation with Richmond has put them in a position to compete with the big boys. Metro are flying high at the moment however and I think that momentum will carry them to a second consecutive win and establish a good toe-hold on the promotion race early in the season.
Guidford FC v Bingers Army
Another season begun and, sure enough, the Army are already just doing what they do best. A 1-1 with Royals was hardly a flashy result on opening day, but it was good enough for one more point than six other teams in the division currently boast. Bingers have served notice that they will continue to be a tricky proposition on the schedule, irrespective of what Father Time may or may not think. Next to face the challenge are Guildford FC. The Surrey boys started the campaign brightly with a win over new boys NorVan Storm last week and they claimed all three points away from home on the North Shore, an area that has been a less than happy hunting ground in recent seasons. Back at home, and in their early season swoon, I suspect Guildford should be too much for the travelling Army to overcome.
GN North Delta v Columbus
After an inauspicious pseudo "bye" to begin the season (the two GN clubs, I presume, agreed to postpone their Week 1 fixture until a later date??) the "North Delta" boys are set for a harsh dose of reality in their first Div. 1 endeavor. Recently relegated Columbus showed their pedigree dispatching Romania on Match Day 1 and, despite the travel, will fancy their chances again this week. As I said in my season preview, GN North Delta are a complete wild card and until they show their hand it will be tough to get a read on them. I'll take the former Premier club comfortably in this one.
Romania v NorVan Lions
Romania will no doubt be upset with their debut performance agaist Columbus, but they will instantly be handed a chance against yet another former Premier team in NorVan Lions. The North Shore boys proved that they should not be counted out of a return to form when they beat newly promoted Serbia 2-1. On the road though it will be a different story, especially against a group keen to avoid an 0-2 start to their season. It was far from a cake walk for NorVan against a newly promoted team, so it stands to reason that a well established Div. 1 side might cause them one or two more problems. After their lackluster finish to last season, NorVan have all the work to do to prove that they deserve to be favourites week in and week out. I'll take a draw in this one.
Burnaby Selects White Eagles v NorVan Storm
This is the MOTW as two newly promoted clubs clash in a bid to get their first points in their new division and really kick start their season's. These two will know each other well as it was the White Eagles pipping NorVan to the title in their Div. 2 pool last season. It was the North Shore boys who had the title to lose last term and lose it they did when fixture congestion due to their Div. 2 Cup repeat ultimately left the door open for the Burnaby crew. Nevertheless, the teams have emerged together in Division 1 and both got off to a losing start in their debuts last weekend. The Storm were well beaten at home by Guildford while the former Serbians kept things closer against the other NorVan outfit, the Lions. A year ago NorVan would have been definite favourites in this fixture, but after letting the title slip and making an inauspicious debut last week, White Eagles likely have to be considered to be trading punches at least at even footing. Both teams will understand the importance of this one as an early relegation 6-pointer and you have to think each team will be going for it in a bid to get all three points. It sets up as a cracker and could easily go either way; I'll tip Burnaby in this one though, based on their seemingly sturdier performance last week.
Rino's Fury v GN Sporting
Not the start Rino's would have been looking for against new boys Burnaby Metro last weekend as they fell 3-1. Presumably Rino's management is still working out the kinks in the new CAT rules and club hierarchy. Hopefully they will have them sorted for this weekend as, after surging to perhaps unrealistic heights last term, the Fury won't be keen on battling it out in the bottom half of the table. The bottom half is certainly where GN found themselves last season as they needed some late heroics (both on and off the field) to ensure that they avoided the trap door. Their off season restructuring has to lead one to believe that they will return with a stronger effort in this campaign, but, until we see some on field evidence of that, it is tough to blindly support that notion. Given they took Week 1 off, there's no evidence to work off of, so I will take Rino's to bag the points at home on Sunday.
Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
we are older have families and travel etc basically a much better situatuon to have every second weekend off. tommorow will be the inaugrual wednesday so will see how it goes.
the biggest dissapointment is not being included in the weekly predictions however. i have no idea who we are playing tommoroe but i hope its a good game
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