Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
OK looks like a new deadline thanks to the "Sheffield Wednesday" Army... Went 4/6 last week to stay above .500 early doors. The top of the table is beginning to take shape already with the teams you would expect to be in the promotion race come February (Columbus, Guildford, Metro Athletic and NorVan Lions) all on six points after two rounds. None of those top four face each other this week, so it comes down to will anyone drop points this weekend? While it seems early to be taking about falling behind the competition, a promotion race offers little room for error; the best bet is to simply keep winning. The rest of the teams are scrapping to get points on the board and stay away from the bottom half of the table, one surprise is Rino's Fury going without a point in the first two weeks.
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 3:
Bingers Army v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
In a cagey move the veterans (seniors?) over at Army headquarters have moved their home games to Wednesday nights. Will it payoff by catching some teams out of rhythm? A fair question. Bingers would usually be favourites against a newly promoted team, as their experience has taught them that these points are far too valuable to throw away. You don't last the better part of two decades at this level without winning the games that you need to win! Even last season when Campo went straight through the division, the wily Army posed two very challenging fixtures for eventual league runners-up. However, coming into, er-hem, "Week 3" these two teams are trending in different directions. The Eagles gave a good account of themselves against a NorVan Lions team who reckon to be in the top end mix this season in Week 1 and followed it up with a thumping of the Lions' cousins the Storm, beating their fellow promoted brethren by a score of 7-0. Bingers put on a classic gritty performance in Week 1 with a hard fought draw against Richmond/South Delta but then went backward in a 4-1 reversal at the hands of Guildford. So the tails are up for the league's new boys out in Burnaby, though it stands to reason they won't find life quite as straight forward against the Army. This one really comes down to offense. Bingers will be the first to tell you that they are too old to trade chances and go end to end for 90 minutes. If they can get a fork in this game and smother the upstart former Serbians, then the have every chance of taking something out of this one. For White Eagles, they will want to turn on the after burners and throw wave after wave of attack at the Army. If they kick hard enough, the goals might just come tumbling out of this one for the second week running. Both teams in with a chance then and this should be a good one. My gut is telling me Burnaby have another impressive performance in them and not to take them lightly, but I'm going to go with the experience of Bingers in this one to stifle the Eagle's offense and the Wednesday night fixture to have it's intended psychological effect.
GN Sporting v Burnaby Metro Athletic
Onto the weekend and this one will have to be the MOTW. True, this weekend is lacking a real marquee fixture, but this is still two teams with perfect records meeting; GN just had Week 1 off. The Surrey boys were impressive in handing Rino's a 2-1 loss on home turf in Vancouver last time out and GN return home to Newton where they have traditionally performed better than on their travels. Burnaby Metro, however, are a whole different animal and they have come exactly as advertised, cruising to a pair of wins to open their Division 1 account. Metro Athletic have scored eight while only allowing two against to begin the year. This will be a good marker to see if this really is a new and improved GN Sporting, or if they will be looking more towards the bottom of the table than the top. Certainly, if GN are to have success this week, they will need to find a way to contain Navid Mashinchi, who is always front and centre in the Burnaby attack and is living up to his reputation with three goals in the opening two matches. The Surrey boys would also do well it would seem to keep an eye on Jackson Malloy who, at least to begin the season, has emerged as a second threat for Metro Athletic, matching Navid's strike rate to start the campaign. Tough to bet on GN having seen them only play Rino's, a team that Burnaby has also already beaten and by a wider margin. Burnaby to stay perfect in this one.
Columbus v Rino's Fury
Not sure what's going on at Rino's as their open teams are a combined 1-5 to begin the year. Everything seemed to be going so well when their newly promoted Premier team began the season with a victory before a reality check in Week 2 against Peg. Certainly they would have fancied their match ups for their newly realigned Division 2 team against traditionally lower mid-table opponents, but, alas, no joy there either. As for their Division 1 team, perhaps Burnaby Metro in Week 1 was a tough ask, given where Navid and Co. are aiming to finish this season, but being seen off by GN at home last time out surely stung for a team that finished last season knocking on the promotion race door. Things aren't about to get any easier as recently relegated Columbus are next on the docket and the Italians are doing what any newly relegated team hopes to do: give themselves a chance at an immediate return. ICSF are 2-0 to begin their campaign, though, tougher tests than Romania and GN North Delta are certainly to come. One would think Rino's would represent a good measuring stick for Columbus, but, given the Fury's current form, it's tough to be in their corner on this one. Rino's definitely have the tools and ability to take all three points, but based on their start to the year I think at the end of this these teams' records go to 3-0 and 0-3 respectively.
NorVan Lions v GN North Delta
GN were swept aside with relative ease by Columbus in their rebranded debut last week. It stands to reason that this could be a long season for the seemingly abandoned North Delta brand and the schedule hasn't done them any favours; other than perhaps giving them that first week off. Another promotion contender and one time Premier team is on the horizon and NorVan Lions are in form having won both their games to begin the campaign. After finding their footing in a 2-1 win over newly promoted White Eagles, the Lions ratcheted up the style in a 5-0 demolition over Romania last weekend. The North Shore boys should be confident of another good performance against a GN side that no one is really sure what to make of to this point. Until we see something that shows a glimpse of promise that they might just be alright at this level, it is tough to bet on North Delta. NorVan to be comfortable in this one.
Norvan Storm v Romania
Two sides that are 0-2 and both are coming off heavy defeats. Romania were humbled by the Storm's cousins the Lions last time out, while the NorVan boys were completely outclassed by White Eagles to the tune of 7-0. That loss has to particularly sting for NorVan given that they were in the same division as Burnaby last term and would have surely targeted a match against a fellow promoted team as an avenue to get off the mark in Division 1. A loss would be disappointing enough, but to get embarrassed like that against a team you should expect to be on par with has to be especially concerning. After clamoring to be in this Division for the past few seasons, NorVan might well be finding out that they are punching slightly above their weight class. There's no time for feeling sorry for yourself in football however, and, with what is shaping up to be a relegation battle for the Storm, this weekend presents a massive opportunity to claim vital points towards survival. Romania are no strangers to a relegation dog fight as it seems that almost since they arrived in this division four seasons ago they have been hovering around a return to Division 2. Their record will show, though, that they manage to find a way to survive at each time of asking. Their experience is likely to serve them well and they will know that three points against a team that is shaping up to be in and around the bottom of the table are valuable at any time of the year, even September. Not expecting a majestic display of footballing prowess in this one, but it should be a helluva tilt between two teams desperate to get out of the blocks and have their seasons start trending in the right direction. A draw might seem a decent result for both, but I think Romania's experience will have them knowing just how invaluable taking all the spoils from this one would be. I think the Europeans will sense that they need to go for the jugular and find a way to walk out winners.
Richmond Royal v Guildford FC
Richmond/South Delta seem to be the same team as last year. A group that is never going to give you an easy game, but isn't likely to hit the heights of their debut season where they got a sniff of the promotion race before finishing mid-table. A great group on and off the field, they are seemingly cut from the same footballing cloth as Bingers (and the two team's Week 1 draw was only further evidence of this). Guildford are also sticking to their form from past seasons as they are out of the traps firing away. Back to back 4-1 wins over NorVan Storm and the aforementioned Binger's Army has them 2-0 with six points and right in the thick of the promotion race, just like their previous two campaigns. Traditionally the goals and performances dry up once the calendar page turns for the Surrey lads, which doesn't bode well for Royals this week. The Tsawwassen come Richmond boys were handily beaten 5-1 by Burnaby Metro last time out and a leaky defense is not a recipe for success against a Guildford team who have bagged goals seemingly at will to begin the season. I'll take the Surrey boys to keep pace at the top with a win in this one.
Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 3:
Bingers Army v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
In a cagey move the veterans (seniors?) over at Army headquarters have moved their home games to Wednesday nights. Will it payoff by catching some teams out of rhythm? A fair question. Bingers would usually be favourites against a newly promoted team, as their experience has taught them that these points are far too valuable to throw away. You don't last the better part of two decades at this level without winning the games that you need to win! Even last season when Campo went straight through the division, the wily Army posed two very challenging fixtures for eventual league runners-up. However, coming into, er-hem, "Week 3" these two teams are trending in different directions. The Eagles gave a good account of themselves against a NorVan Lions team who reckon to be in the top end mix this season in Week 1 and followed it up with a thumping of the Lions' cousins the Storm, beating their fellow promoted brethren by a score of 7-0. Bingers put on a classic gritty performance in Week 1 with a hard fought draw against Richmond/South Delta but then went backward in a 4-1 reversal at the hands of Guildford. So the tails are up for the league's new boys out in Burnaby, though it stands to reason they won't find life quite as straight forward against the Army. This one really comes down to offense. Bingers will be the first to tell you that they are too old to trade chances and go end to end for 90 minutes. If they can get a fork in this game and smother the upstart former Serbians, then the have every chance of taking something out of this one. For White Eagles, they will want to turn on the after burners and throw wave after wave of attack at the Army. If they kick hard enough, the goals might just come tumbling out of this one for the second week running. Both teams in with a chance then and this should be a good one. My gut is telling me Burnaby have another impressive performance in them and not to take them lightly, but I'm going to go with the experience of Bingers in this one to stifle the Eagle's offense and the Wednesday night fixture to have it's intended psychological effect.
GN Sporting v Burnaby Metro Athletic
Onto the weekend and this one will have to be the MOTW. True, this weekend is lacking a real marquee fixture, but this is still two teams with perfect records meeting; GN just had Week 1 off. The Surrey boys were impressive in handing Rino's a 2-1 loss on home turf in Vancouver last time out and GN return home to Newton where they have traditionally performed better than on their travels. Burnaby Metro, however, are a whole different animal and they have come exactly as advertised, cruising to a pair of wins to open their Division 1 account. Metro Athletic have scored eight while only allowing two against to begin the year. This will be a good marker to see if this really is a new and improved GN Sporting, or if they will be looking more towards the bottom of the table than the top. Certainly, if GN are to have success this week, they will need to find a way to contain Navid Mashinchi, who is always front and centre in the Burnaby attack and is living up to his reputation with three goals in the opening two matches. The Surrey boys would also do well it would seem to keep an eye on Jackson Malloy who, at least to begin the season, has emerged as a second threat for Metro Athletic, matching Navid's strike rate to start the campaign. Tough to bet on GN having seen them only play Rino's, a team that Burnaby has also already beaten and by a wider margin. Burnaby to stay perfect in this one.
Columbus v Rino's Fury
Not sure what's going on at Rino's as their open teams are a combined 1-5 to begin the year. Everything seemed to be going so well when their newly promoted Premier team began the season with a victory before a reality check in Week 2 against Peg. Certainly they would have fancied their match ups for their newly realigned Division 2 team against traditionally lower mid-table opponents, but, alas, no joy there either. As for their Division 1 team, perhaps Burnaby Metro in Week 1 was a tough ask, given where Navid and Co. are aiming to finish this season, but being seen off by GN at home last time out surely stung for a team that finished last season knocking on the promotion race door. Things aren't about to get any easier as recently relegated Columbus are next on the docket and the Italians are doing what any newly relegated team hopes to do: give themselves a chance at an immediate return. ICSF are 2-0 to begin their campaign, though, tougher tests than Romania and GN North Delta are certainly to come. One would think Rino's would represent a good measuring stick for Columbus, but, given the Fury's current form, it's tough to be in their corner on this one. Rino's definitely have the tools and ability to take all three points, but based on their start to the year I think at the end of this these teams' records go to 3-0 and 0-3 respectively.
NorVan Lions v GN North Delta
GN were swept aside with relative ease by Columbus in their rebranded debut last week. It stands to reason that this could be a long season for the seemingly abandoned North Delta brand and the schedule hasn't done them any favours; other than perhaps giving them that first week off. Another promotion contender and one time Premier team is on the horizon and NorVan Lions are in form having won both their games to begin the campaign. After finding their footing in a 2-1 win over newly promoted White Eagles, the Lions ratcheted up the style in a 5-0 demolition over Romania last weekend. The North Shore boys should be confident of another good performance against a GN side that no one is really sure what to make of to this point. Until we see something that shows a glimpse of promise that they might just be alright at this level, it is tough to bet on North Delta. NorVan to be comfortable in this one.
Norvan Storm v Romania
Two sides that are 0-2 and both are coming off heavy defeats. Romania were humbled by the Storm's cousins the Lions last time out, while the NorVan boys were completely outclassed by White Eagles to the tune of 7-0. That loss has to particularly sting for NorVan given that they were in the same division as Burnaby last term and would have surely targeted a match against a fellow promoted team as an avenue to get off the mark in Division 1. A loss would be disappointing enough, but to get embarrassed like that against a team you should expect to be on par with has to be especially concerning. After clamoring to be in this Division for the past few seasons, NorVan might well be finding out that they are punching slightly above their weight class. There's no time for feeling sorry for yourself in football however, and, with what is shaping up to be a relegation battle for the Storm, this weekend presents a massive opportunity to claim vital points towards survival. Romania are no strangers to a relegation dog fight as it seems that almost since they arrived in this division four seasons ago they have been hovering around a return to Division 2. Their record will show, though, that they manage to find a way to survive at each time of asking. Their experience is likely to serve them well and they will know that three points against a team that is shaping up to be in and around the bottom of the table are valuable at any time of the year, even September. Not expecting a majestic display of footballing prowess in this one, but it should be a helluva tilt between two teams desperate to get out of the blocks and have their seasons start trending in the right direction. A draw might seem a decent result for both, but I think Romania's experience will have them knowing just how invaluable taking all the spoils from this one would be. I think the Europeans will sense that they need to go for the jugular and find a way to walk out winners.
Richmond Royal v Guildford FC
Richmond/South Delta seem to be the same team as last year. A group that is never going to give you an easy game, but isn't likely to hit the heights of their debut season where they got a sniff of the promotion race before finishing mid-table. A great group on and off the field, they are seemingly cut from the same footballing cloth as Bingers (and the two team's Week 1 draw was only further evidence of this). Guildford are also sticking to their form from past seasons as they are out of the traps firing away. Back to back 4-1 wins over NorVan Storm and the aforementioned Binger's Army has them 2-0 with six points and right in the thick of the promotion race, just like their previous two campaigns. Traditionally the goals and performances dry up once the calendar page turns for the Surrey lads, which doesn't bode well for Royals this week. The Tsawwassen come Richmond boys were handily beaten 5-1 by Burnaby Metro last time out and a leaky defense is not a recipe for success against a Guildford team who have bagged goals seemingly at will to begin the season. I'll take the Surrey boys to keep pace at the top with a win in this one.