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Div 1 [VMSL Div 1] Predictions, Results & Banter 2017/2018

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ref44

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I see Storm/Rinos was PPD.

Last minute Thanksgiving agreement one assumes...?
Girls tournament took all the fields including our game time then we got offered a later time whiched we grabbed without checking with players but they would have made our normal time but not the later start as they had plans to be on the road to their parents etc. Derrick was good enough to agree to a later date and hopefully we all enjoyed the holiday
I see Storm/Rinos was PPD.

Last minute Thanksgiving agreement one assumes...?
 

Canucks4Ever

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This week we pass the quarter-pole of the season with Match Day 6 of 22 and the would be top four have opened up a three point lead over the chasing pack, with the current top two a further three points ahead. It's getting down to business however as these top sides are playing each other for the first time on the schedule now and, should anyone come out of it unscathed, surely we will have our first true promotion favourite!

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 6:

Burnaby Metro Athletic v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
The first Burnaby derby of the season sees Metro arrive on the back of an incredibly important win over Columbus. Metro were overturned by Guildford in the first "Top 4" showdown of the season and were in danger of falling six points adrift of their promotion competition when the then perfect Columbus welcomed them to Empire last Saturday. However, a narrow 2-1 victory saw the Burnaby boys keep pace at the top and put a dent in the Italian's record as we enter this period of competition between the pre-season promotion favourites. So Metro Athletic are more or less where we expected them to be at this point of the season; within touching distance at the top and setting up to be very much a factor and contender for the top two places come February. Their Burnaby cousins, however, the Selects White Eagles have come out of the traps flying and have served notice that they are not to be simply waived aside as a newly promoted team. The one time Serbians have clearly done some recruiting and this has paid dividends on the score sheet as they have tallied a league best 19 times so far this campaign. The White Eagles are a mere three points of the pace of their opponents this week so, when you add in the fact that local bragging rights are on the line as well, this should be a cracking fixture. Metro Athletic have stolen the headlines coming in to the season, with many expecting them to possibly shoot straight up to Premier, while the White Eagles have flown mostly under the radar, having only knicked automatic promotion in the final weeks of the season last year. However, a win this week would surely thrust the Selects into the spotlight. A closer look at the fixture list, though, might offer slightly more detail, as, while the White Eagles have made hay thrashing opponents below them in the table, their two losses have come to Guildford and NorVan Lions, both of whom sit atop the table sharing 100% records. It would seem that mid-table is then the proper look for this team, beating the teams below them and, while providing a good challenge, ultimately failing to keep pace with those above them. Metro Athletic, on paper at least, should qualify as one of those teams "above" White Eagles and, after dragging themselves back into the promotion race by beating Columbus, the Metro boys will know they cannot afford to be dropping any points to teams outside the "Top 4." I give White Eagles every chance of winning this one, as I said I am expecting a cracker, but I will take Metro Athletic to show their pedigree and find a way to win.

GN Sporting v NorVan Storm
GN did the weekend split, after being well beaten 3-0 by NorVan Lions on Saturday, they turned around and hung the same scoreline on their woeful GN counter parts, North Delta. The defeat to Lions was the first time Sporting were outclassed this season, with all their other games being decided by one goal margins. It is a measured improvement for a side that languished dangerously close to relegation last season and they seem to be getting their feet under them at this level. This week for Sporting it's the Lions' North Shore cousins, the Storm, and a team keen to build off their first taste of victory in Division 1. In their last match NorVan thumped the aforementioned GN North Delta before a field conflict led to the postponement of their clash with Rino's over Thanksgiving. The Storm's record to this point has hardly screamed of a team that will be well safe from relegation, but these players battled long and hard to be in this division, so it is games like these that they know they must get something out of if this is to be longer than a single season stay at this level. GN North Delta look assured to be going down, even at this very early stage of proceedings, but with NorVan's promotion cousins, the two Burnaby teams, busy fighting it out at the other end of the table, the Storm would have to be likely contenders to fill that second relegation place. Rino's and Richmond are hardly covering themselves in glory, so there is plenty of competition, shall we say, for the trap door, but NorVan really do need to start putting some points on the board. The Storm have to be considering Sporting as a team they can take points off, especially if they intend to be taken seriously as a Division 1 team. The Surrey boys, though, will be keen to steer clear of another relegation battle this season and know a win this week will see them move comfortably towards mid-table. The schedule shows other winnable fixtures on the horizon for Sporting and they will surely want to take maximum points before facing more of the league's heavyweights. This one could likely go either way, with both teams fancying their chances, but I will say GN's veteran savvy kicks in at home and they find away to emerge with all the spoils.

GN North Delta v Richmond FC Royals
It's an early season relegation six-pointer as the mightily struggling GN North Delta welcome the almost equally woeful Richmond. Besides being at or near the foot of the table these teams also have conceded the most goals (17 and 20 respectively) and hold the worst goal differences in the league (-14 and -17). One would think we would be assured goals then, at least, in this one, however, each team has only found the next three time so far this year. Altogether, this match represents a real lifeline for someone to get what would seem likely to be a massively crucial three points. Other than their opening day draw with Bingers, the former South Delta boys have been well off the pace; their closest result being a 2-0 home loss to Guildford with their latest setback being a 7-0 hiding to at the hands of mid-table Romania. Hardly the stuff that inspires confidence for a looming relegation battle. Almost unbelievably, North Delta have been even more futile, going 0 for 5 and only once coming within a goal of putting points on the board. This one is unlikely to be a work of art in terms of sport, but likely the more desperate team, the one that has mentally wrapped their heads around a relegation fight and understands the priceless nature of these points, will come out the winner. I think Richmond probably have a slight edge in that department with a few more veterans, while most of North Delta is still untested at this level. I think the boys from below sea level find a way to win this week.

Columbus v NorVan Lions
MOTW as this week's "Top 4" match up has Columbus hosting NorVan. Once upon a time this was a Premier fixture, however, both teams have been yo-yoing up and down for the past few years so you would need to go back to the 2013/14 season to find the last time these teams met in the top flight. Barring any Imperial Cup clashes, that will be the last time these two teams played each other competitively, with the teams seemingly tagging in and out of opposite divisions for the past three seasons. The goal for both teams is now, once more, a return to the VMSL's top division and to do that they will, in all likelihood, need to take points off each other. NorVan have maintained a perfect start to this point of the campaign, but have yet to face a promotion rival. Meanwhile, Columbus are three points back, having tasted defeat for the first time against Burnaby Metro Athletic last weekend. The Italians will be looking to take a page out of Metro's book who, after Burnaby lost to one promotion rival in Guildford, bounced back immediately at the next time of asking with their win last Saturday. Prior to their loss, Columbus had seemingly found life fairly easy at this level, as one might expect from a recently relegated team, but now reality will have set in and they should be the more desperate of the two sides. No doubt the other teams in the promotion race will be quietly rooting for Columbus in this one as well, with Metro Athletic keen to see a third of the "Top 4" sides handed their first loss of the season while no doubt Guildford would be happy perched atop the table all on their own. NorVan, for their part, are coming off a solid performance, a 3-0 win over GN Sporting, and will be in no mood to concede ground in the promotion race. This one should live up to it's billing and matches like these are always a coin toss. Having seen it happen last week though, when Metro Athletic got a much needed win, I will say Columbus uses their desperation to find an extra gear and claim the victory in this one.

Romania v Guildford
The Romanians packed their scoring boots last time out and slammed seven past a toiling Richmond side. Things are not likely to come anywhere near as easily this weekend as they are set to host the 5 and 0 Guildford at Memorial on Saturday. Guildford won another close game last week when they beat a Burnaby team, this time the White Eagles, 2-1 for the second consecutive week. The Surrey boys are finding ways to win close games this season, the kind of games they would have often dropped points in during previous campaigns. Perhaps they are finally learning, after two seasons spinning their wheels at this level, that these are the points that get you promoted. In Division 1 you simply have to get results, that is all that matters. Guildford have ambition, and that's all well and fine, but it does you absolutely no good if you continue to finish in third or fourth place every year and miss out on promotion. To that end, this week is another game that involves holding serve and finding a way to make sure you go home with all three points. Romania have established themselves as a quality Division 1 side after coming up four seasons ago and struggling through some early relegation worries, so Guildford would do well to respect them. However, you have to think the Surrey boys should run out winners come full time in this one.

Rino's Fury v Bingers Army
Rino's against Bingers was once appointment viewing as a top tier rivalry in this division. This season though, this fixture jumps out as more desperation than derby. Age has seemingly caught up with the once promotion contending Army, though the Division 1 stalwarts did notch their first win of this campaign when they knocked off league whipping boys GN North Delta a week and a half ago (courtesy of their unique Wednesday home kickoffs...). Besides North Delta, Rino's are the only other team without a point in Division 1 this year and they had Thanksgiving weekend off to ruminate over how they have plummeted from their heights as the division's newly promoted darlings, mixing it with the promotion contenders at the top end of the table, to toiling on zero points over a month into the season. Indeed they look more akin to a newly promoted team this season than last season. If the desperation to get going hasn't set in yet for Rino's, it really needs to. At the moment there are a handful of other teams struggling out of the gate, all within touching distance, including this weekend's opponents Bingers. The Fury would do well to keep the pack close and not end up cut adrift like last season's relegated team, UBC Metropolitan, and scrambling for points come the new year to try and stay in the division. Certainly though you would expect that Bingers would be less than accommodating to a long time rival and, this season it would appear, a relegation rival. Expect a good hard tackling game of football between two groups that know each other well. At the end, however, I don't think there will be much to choose between the sides; I'll say this one ends in a draw.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Last weekend that was more about the teams that dropped points than the teams that gained them, as is often the case in Division 1. It is now staggered at the top and only a solitary 100% record remains. The "Top 4" are still within touching distance for the chasing pack, however, the second promotion pace is now six points up on fifth spot, which does begin to indicate what we have likely known for some time, this is probably going to be a four horse race. But what twists and turns are in store this week as the teams emerge on the back stretch?

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 7:

Bingers Army v GN Sporting
Perhaps it was a false dawn for GN Sporting. A win in their opener against Rino's was followed up with good performances against Top 4 sides Burnaby Metro and Columbus, but then came a poor showing in a 3-0 loss to top of the table NorVan Lions and, this past week, a 2-1 reversal at the hands of their newly promoted cousins NorVan Storm. True, a victory over league basement dwellers GN North Delta was sandwiched in between, but the ND boys are ostensibly just here to make up the numbers. In reality, GN have only taken points off the current bottom two, which is a dangerous road to travel. The loss to Storm means that Sporting have spurned a chance at some early separation between themselves and the relegation battle and leaves them among the bottom six, only three points above the current drop line. Meanwhile, Binger's struggles this season have been well documented. Their seemingly age defying ability to churn out results at this level has abandoned them and they look set to be scrapping to remain in this division come the new year. A 2-0 loss last weekend provided Rino's Fury their first points of the season and the Army, even in their current form, surely would have hoped to get something out of that fixture. So then, this mid-week match up will see valuable points on the line. GN seem the favourite- ahead in the early season table on both points, goal difference and goals for which might just prove the difference in this match up. Bingers have found the net more than once on only two occasions this season, while failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their fixtures. They will be hoping the Wednesday night scheduling of this one sees an out of sorts crew arrive from Surrey, but the numbers indicate that Sporting should find at least a goal or two in this one. If Bingers can tighten up at the back and limit GN to a goal or less they might get something out of this match, otherwise it is likely to be another frustrating night for the veteran group. Certainly not hopeless by any means for the Army, but I'll go with the numbers in this one and say GN take it.

Guildford v GN North Delta
So much for coming to understand the value of points, as Guildford became the first Top 4 team to drop points to a team outside of the four contenders this year. Not a death sentence at this stage of the season by any means, but, having praised the Surrey boys for their ability to find the win in a close game against White Eagles the week before, it is a bit of a let down to see them trip at the next hurdle. Take nothing away from Romania who I am certain fought valiantly for their 0-0 and, no doubt, took great pride in putting a wrench in their opponents plans, it's just that if Guildford fall short in their efforts for a third consecutive season, surely this will be a game to look back on ruefully. Soft landing for the Surrey boys though as they get GN North Delta who remain without a point on the season and have scored only three times in six matches. Given their current form, it is difficult to see where ND will be able to pick up points this season. Last week they were thumped by Richmond who came into the game amidst their own struggles with only a solitary point so far this year. This should be a comfortable one for Guildford and, if they turn up in a particularly grumpy mood after that Romania draw, watch out for a lopsided scoreline.

NorVan Storm v Columbus
A second win of the season for the newly promoted storm and first over an established Division 1 team in GN Sporting. Yet another step up in class this week however, as the North Shore crew welcome recently relegated Columbus. The Italians lost their second in a row last time out to the Stom's NorVan cousins, the Lions 3-1 at home and are now six points back of their league leading promotion rivals and four points off second place Guildford. After these losses to their main competition, Columbus can ill afford a slip up against a team outside of the Top 4, lest they fall further off the pace at the top. The good news for Columbus is that finding the net has not been an issue this season, scoring 14 goals in their opening six games and they are spreading the love around with three players on three goals. This bodes well as they head off to face a Storm side who's defense has already been breached 16 times in only a quarter season. NorVan have long maintained that they can punch above their weight class and what better way to prove it than by beating a former Premier side. While I'm sure the Storm will be eager to prove their quality, Columbus must play with some desperation and should surely have the ability to turnover a side that, this time last season, was two divisions below them. The simply Italians must have the points and, while I am sure they will aim to give a good account of themselves, the Storm likely know these would be bonus points for them and that their battles lie with the teams around them in the table.

Richmond FC Royals v Rino's Fury
Both these side tasted victory for the first time this campaign last weekend as Richmond handled GN North Delta with seemingly little trouble, cruising to a 4-0, and Rino's knocked off Binger's Army keeping a clean sheet as well, 2-0. This keeps the relegation battle nicely bunched up, though it is seemingly just a matter of time before GN North Delta are cut adrift. Rino's currently occupy the second relegation spot, but can leapfrog Richmond with a win. These two look well matched this season and these will likely end up being very important points come the final accounting in the New Year. Both teams will be in with a chance in this one, however, it is likely to come down to which team is able to be more desperate at this early stage of the season. One stat that Rino's have going for them is, despite their early season struggles, they have the best goal difference of any of the bottom four at -7. Albeit they have played a game less at present, but they have only conceded 12 times over that span while Richmond have given up almost twice as many goals, having to pull the ball out of their net on 20 occasions already this year. Splitting hairs, maybe, but I still feel that Rino's are a better team than their record indicates, especially when you consider their performance last season. I'll back them to make it two on the spin and vault out of the early season relegation places.

NorVan Lions v Burnaby Metro Athletic
This weeks MOTW is the Top 4 clash between NorVan and Burnaby. NorVan Lions hold the last remaining 100% record in the division after Guildford's slip up last weekend and the North Shore boys are coming off an impressive victory over fellow promotion rivals Columbus to the tune of 3-1. Last season, high pressure results like that seemed beyond the capabilities of NorVan, but, as the lone remaining perfect team, they are now the early promotion favourites. Their gauntlet continues this week with another promotion contender in Burnaby Metro Athletic, but it is also presents a wonderful opportunity. A win would give them a full six point cushion on promotion and with Guildford the only remaining Top 4 side still on their schedule, it would essentially just be about the Lions holding serve until these fixtures come around against on the schedule in January. This is Burnaby Metro's final game against their Top 4 rivals in the first round of fixtures, so they will be desperate to keep NorVan in touch with the pack. Having dropped points to Guildford, Burnaby beat Columbus before getting the win over their local rivals White Eagles in a Burnaby derby last week. If Metro are to have success this weekend, no doubt to the delight of their Top 4 rivals, they will need to keep the league's current top scorer Will Kendall in check. The NorVan man has struck eight times in only six games and accounts for just under half of his sides goals to date. Obviously this one is a marquee match up and those can always go either way. I expect Burnaby to be the more desperate side, however, NorVan are in form and are the class of the league at the moment. I'll take the Lions to seize their opportunity to take the first massive step towards a return to Premier.

Burnaby Selects White Eagles v Romania
Fifth plays sixth in a mid-table match up this weekend, with the winner perhaps landing among the promotion contenders. Overall, based on their early results, this is exactly where these teams look poised to finish come February. The bigger question is likely, while still both outside contenders at this early stage of the season, which team will have the most impact on the promotion race? Romania has already flexed their muscles and become the first "outsider" team to draw blood, taking points of second place Guildford last weekend in a 0-0. White Eagles have given a good account of themselves as well, losing by just a single goal to all of NorVan Lions, Guildford and, last week, Burnaby Metro Athletic. So these two teams are to be respected, certainly, but who will emerge victorious this weekend? Romania come in on the back of that draw, before which they posted three consecutive victories. They have also kept back to back clean sheets, which was a slight worry after they conceded 13 time in their opening four matches. White Eagles have gone in the other direction, losing two in a row, however their only losses have come to the top three teams in the table. Finely poised this one and I am tempted to pick a draw, however, I will go back to the numbers. While Romania have stemmed the tide of late, White Eagles are the divisions joint top scores with 19 goals over six games and their goal difference of 13 is vastly superior to the Romanians 3. Add in the fact that the Burnaby boys are likely fed up with losing and I think you have all the ingredients you need to push them over the top to a victory.

BONUS
NorVan Storm v Rino's Fury
Rearranged from Thanksgiving, these two will tango on Tuesday night over on the North Shore. Difficult to predict without knowing the form they will each be coming in on after the weekend, but they are likely to remain relatively close in the table. If NorVan manage to get something off Columbus then they will be flying, but Rino's are either likely to be in good form after back to back wins, or extra desperate, still mired in the relegation zone. I like Rino's, but without seeing a win on the weekend for certain, I can't fully tip them in this one. At the end of it all, it boils down to a mid-week, late night match between two teams that lack true top end quality. I can see both sides settling for a draw in this one.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Took in White Eagles v Romania on Sunday night in what turned out to be a high scoring affair. White Eagles ran out to an early lead before being pegged back when they failed to deal with Romania's air assault. The ball was over-hit beyond the far post before being headed back across the face of goal, where it was forced in at the back stick for the equalizer. It looked like the Romanian striker managed to use the extra 15-20 lbs he had on his marker to seemingly overpower the defender who had met the ball roughly simultaneously in an effort to clear. 1-1 at the break. Both teams were passionate and there were a few spicy challenges, but nothing over the top. Romania grabbed the lead just before the hour mark, perhaps slightly against the run of play. White Eagles were confused at the back and the ball rolled through to the Romania man who made no mistake, slamming home to take the lead. Difficult to see from my angle what Burnaby were so upset about, but they clearly wanted a foul or offside called in the build up; needless to say, their protests went unheeded by the officials.

The former Serbians appeared to come unglued slightly after conceding, however, their mood brightened considerably when they were level within 10 minutes. They were awarded a free kick literally on the line of the 18-yard-box and their man stepped up, putting it over the wall and into the net. In all honesty it was well hit, but certainly short of spectacular. It was not hit with pace or placed right in the corner, however, the Romanian keeper seemed to give up on it almost instantly, remaining rooted to his starting position throughout. Perhaps he was caught off guard or flat footed by the Burnaby player's one-step run up or maybe, with the free kick being take from so close, he did not have time to react after the ball cleared the wall. Still though, I thought he might have done better. In the end it proved academic as both teams looked content to settle for a draw. The seemingly best chance came to White Eagles when they hit a long range effort that was always somewhat speculative, though it had decent pace and forced an airborne, diving save from the man in the Romanian goal (possibly somewhat redeeming himself for the free kick; then again those sorts of acrobatics likely would have been enough to prevent that goal from going in; anyway, moving on).

In the 90 minute, Burnaby were rather cavalier in clearing their lines at the top of the penalty area, although, in fairness, there did not seem any acute threat to their goal. That assumption was made to look foolish however, when the ball rolled nicely to the Romanian attacked 25-30 yards from goal and he swung his foot through it. It ended up being an absolute thunderbolt and a goal worthy of winning any match as it arrowed into the far-side netting. White Eagles were obviously stunned, along with, it appeared, several of the Romanians as well, though it did not take long for jubilation to set in. Burnaby tried to press for an equalizer in injury time but, without ever really generating a threatening attack, they managed to become completely disjointed and unorganized at the back. When Romania stripped the ball near midfield, it was the simplest of counter attacks to ostensibly pass the ball into the net and salt this one away. 4-2 likely harsh on Burnaby Selects, but certainly entertaining for the neutrals.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Last minute entries. As always, I'll try and do better next week!

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 8:

Burnaby Metro v Romania
In a week devoid of a marquee match up, this one is the MOTW. Romania swept aside Metro's Burnaby cousins, the White Eagles last time out, though the scoreline perhaps flattered them slightly. A step up in class this week though as Navid and Co. will be desperate to keep pace in the promotion race. The goals have dried up for the Division 2 wonder-kids and a prolonged stay in Division 1 is looking more and more likely. They were well off the pace away to league leaders NorVan Lions, losing 3-0 last weekend, so expect a response in this one. A win for Romania would see the Europeans leapfrog Burnaby into the top four and maybe just have them dreaming about a story book run to promotion this season. Quite the story it would be too, but we would all need to see another gear entirely from Romania to start believing that one and, until that point, they will be the underdogs in this one. Burnaby to bounce back.

GN Sporting v Richmond Royals
Richmond failed to keep up with fellow bottom-half underachievers Rino's last weekend and it looks like being a long season for the former South Delta boys. However, it is another game that they could potentially get something out of against GN in Surrey. Sporting have had a sputtering start to the season, with a mostly good performances, but just have not been able to translate those into points. If Brad is in fact playing in goal throughout the Richmond club set up, it stands to reason that he won't be availble in this one, given the Premier team plays in West Van around the same time. That's not going to help the Royals chances and you have to think GN have seen this one on the calendar and targeted it as a game to get the points in. Richmond would do well to play with some desperation, but I'll back the Surrey boys to bag the points.

Columbus v Bingers Army
Its getting close to panic stations for both these clubs. Bingers knicked a point off GN last Wednesday but, overall, are much too close to the relegation zone for their liking. The results seem to point towards the Army having enough to stay in the division; still though, this is far for the Bingers we've come to know over the seasons. At the other end of the table, Columbus dropped points to mid-table and newly promoted NorVan Storm last time out and that is a big nail towards their hopes of an immediate return to Premier. They are now win-less in their last three and simply must have the points this week. Bingers have long made a reputation for throwing wrenches in promotion plans and they have been giant killers before. Columbus to win and comfortably at that, however a result for Bingers here would be less surprising than others in their position.

NorVan Lions v NorVan Storm
It's a NorVan derby so that should keep this one spicy. Storm have long argued that they can hang with their cousins, whose shadow they have been stuck in for quite some time now. Their draw last week against former Premier boys Columbus has shown that perhaps they can, in fact, hang with the big boys, so they should come in with some confidence. Lions are the current class of the league and will certainly not want to throw that away, least of all to their local rivals. I'm expecting a cracker, but I have to respect the pedigree of the Lions in this one.

Rino's Fury v Guildford
The Fury have found their legs, picking up seven points in two weeks with their midweek draw against NorVan Storm. Guildford got a freebie against GN North Delta last week but, having already been stung by a solid Division 1 side in their 0-0 draw with Romania, they would do well to approach Rino's carefully. The Vancouver boys are in form and Guildford only need to look as far as last season to see how these are exactly the types of games they have to win to be in the promotion places come February. Rino's have a chance to show that they are back to the team they were last year, however, I think the Surrey boys will know the value of this one and find away to take the points back down the highway.

GN North Delta v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
Hard done by for Burnaby with their late loss to Romania last weekend. It looks to be stats day this time out though as their high octane offense gets a chance to play against GN's league worst defense (27 goals against through seven games). Watch out for White Eagle's Vuk Erbez who has seven goals coming into this one, good enough for the second most in the league. Maybe moving their home games to Monday nights will help the North Delta boys, but I doubt it.
 

big gk

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why does one player play for inter vs columbus or other way around both italian based teams with long traditions in the same geographical area. is it like a real madrid athletico madrid situation?
 

Canucks4Ever

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Can't speak for the above directly, but I imagine it has a lot to do with who you know in the team and who the core guys have connections with to bring in. Long gone are the days where is was mostly "Italian" descended players playing for the teams. Still great community roots, but, like anything, I would assume most of it is about playing with a good group of guys, plus location etc. At the moment, there's the whole Premier compared to Div. 1 thing as well...

What I can speak to is the fact that my travels took me to Empire on Sunday to get a look at Columbus when they played the Army. The situation was immediately tough for Bingers, given that they had just 11 and no subs. The first half saw plenty of Columbus pressure and plenty of last ditch defending from the Army. With much of their energy devoted to defending, Bingers, perhaps predictably, had limited opportunities going forward. Columbus though were struggling for ideas and their attacks appeared to lack conviction. Likely their pressure should have brought them a penalty when their attacker was hauled down on 35 minutes, but Duliba found a way to claim the foul had occurred outside the area and the free kick was wasted. Just when frustration was mounting the Italians took the lead with a cross and glancing header that nestled in at the far post right on the stroke of half time.

Looked like the Army decided to go for it at half time and started attacking. Some nice combination play down the right saw a ball floated in for big Tony who got on the end of it and forced a top shelf diving save from the 14 year old in goal for Columbus. Bingers continued to get some joy down that wing but never made it count. The game was pretty clean, to be honest I don't think Bingers had the legs to be wasting energy on extracurriculars, but Columbus did have tempers flair after one late tackle from the Army that saw the man in blue spring up a forcefully shove the player who had fouled him. Perhaps a different referee might have taken a dimmer view of that sort of reaction, but Duliba just booked the Binger's man for the original foul. The Italians did eventually find the 2-0 goal off a nice cross and finish, but they were at a walking pace for most of the game. I am assuming they have another gear and were just confident of their ability to get the win against an undermanned opponent, but if this is indicative of how they played against the top teams I can see why they have lost ground in the promotion race. DeBlasio took over at 2-0 and made sure to kill the game off when he got loose and did the heavy lifting against the Binger's defense before squaring the ball for a tap in to make it 3-0. Stevie then got on the ball in the middle of the park and slammed one home himself to really tilt the scoreline. A good win for the Italians and one they desperately needed to be sure, but hardly a performance that makes you think of a division title winner. They have been in a bit of a slump of late though, so perhaps this is what they need to kick start the engines and get back into the swing of things.
 

blade

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Caught a real short glimpse of this fixture

The Columbus player, Luigi, I think he was being called, also got a yellow for pushing the Army dude who took him down from behind

Otherwise agreed that I wasn't thinking of a divisional title with the bit I saw
 

Canucks4Ever

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Things are becoming a bit spaced out in Division 1 with a four point cushion between second and third and a three point cushion between fourth and fifth, meaning it will take at least a week before anyone is in a position to reel in a team that they are chasing. Without any "Top 4" clashes on the menu, or even top six, it's unlikely that anyone makes up ground this weekend.

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 9:

Binger's Army v NorVan Lions
It's been a rough go for Binger's to this point of the campaign and the division's stalwarts are definitely looking at a relegation battle this season. Their Wednesday home game time has not seemingly resulted in any major advantage as most teams seem to be coping with the mid-week fixture just fine. After a undermanned thumping at the hands of Columbus this past weekend, it is a rough time to see the league leaders along with their 100% record and division best goals for and goal difference on the docket. Fresh off a 7-0 dismantling of their NorVan cousins, the Storm, and behind the current Division 1 Golden Boot front-runner, Will Kendall, Lions are definitely a team looking like they have one foot back in Premier after a two season hiatus. Lots of season left though, but I don't think there is too much to analyze in this one; NorVan to be comfortable.

Guildford v GN Sporting
Absent a true marquee match up this Surrey derby out at Newton that pits second against seventh will be my MOTW. Guildford have made a habit of dropping points unnecessarily over their brief lifespan in the VMSL and, with a local rival on the docket for this week, this is another fixture that could prove tricky to negotiate. True, Guildford are yet to lose this season, but they did have a slip up in a 0-0 against mid-table Romania a few weeks back and with another mid-table opponent in GN, they would do well to approach the fixture with care. GN Sporting will be more focused on beating the teams below them in the table, as they did this past week when they saw off Richmond 3-2, than those like Guildford above them. That being said, they would certainly never say no to messing with their Newton cousin's promotion goals. Even a draw could be very costly for Guildford and you know GN will be up for this one; but the home side should have the ability and, perhaps more importantly, the experience to be able to find an extra gear when needed and make sure they bank all three points.

NorVan Storm v Burnaby Metro
Burnaby got back in the win column this week, finding just enough to beat a plucky Romania team 4-3 last time out. Their two losses on the season mean that they are now outside the promotion places and will need help finding their way back in. The Metro boys will need to bide their time until they get an opportunity to strike, likely in the second half of the schedule, but, until then, certainly dropping any further points is not something they can abide. The Storm proved that they should not be simply dismissed as a newly promoted team when then held another of the promotion hopefuls, Columbus, to a 2-2 draw. Last time out was a reality check however, as their first place North Shore brethren, the Lions, gave them a solid lesson in what it takes to succeed at this level in a 7-0 beat down. It was actually the Storm's second 7-0 loss of the season as it seems things have a penchant for slipping off the rails fairly quickly at times for the NorVan boys. After their last 7-0 thumping Storm responded with a good performance in a 4-3 loss to Romania and I am expecting something similar in this one. I definitely think NorVan will be fired up to bounce back from a very poor performance, so I expect a better outing this week. However, I think Burnaby will be just slightly more desperate for the points and that they will have enough of an edge in talent to be able to bank the win.

Richmond Royals v Columbus
Things are not going well for Richmond who inherited this Division 1 spot from South Delta and maybe just did not quite have the resources or the talent pool to compete effectively at this level. They sit second bottom with their only points having come off the team below them, when the beat league whipping boys GN North Delta, and Binger's Army, the team immediately above them in the table with whom they drew on opening day. The real issue is that they are shipping goals at the same rate Amazon ships parcels and their goal difference and accompanying stats basically indicate that second bottom is right where they belong. The good news is that they are not out of touch entirely with the rest of the table at this point, so just a few good results could well pull them out of this hole. A good result will be a tall order this weekend against Columbus however, as the fourth place boys cannot afford to drop any further points if they have any real ambition to return to Premier at the first time of asking. With two losses and a draw, the Italians are fully six points back of a promotion place and certainly have to consider this a "must win." They may have started slow last time out against Binger's, but they eventually found a way to a 4-0 win and will be confident of doing the something similar this time out.

Romania v GN North Delta
This week's freebie goes to Romania as they play league bottom feeders GN North Delta who are clearly just here to make up the numbers. The Romanians are full value for their fifth place standing and are unlikely to be in a generous mood after losing a close one last time out to Burnaby Metro. North Delta's new home slot of Monday nights brought a couple of goals, but certainly not a victory as they lost 5-2 to the other Burnaby boys, the White Eagles. Looks like it is going to be a long season for these guys, but fair play to them and here's hoping they knick a result or two along the way.

Burnaby Selects White Eagles v Rino's Fury
Likely the closest match up on paper this week as sixth hosts ninth. Rino's have pulled their fingers out after a dreadful start and are back to looking like a team that well and truly belongs at this level. White Eagles, meanwhile, have had little trouble establishing themselves in Division 1 and certainly are not hurting for goals having scored the second most in the league with 26, only three less than league leaders NorVan Lions. The majority of those goals belong to Matlash Vladyslav and Vuk Erbez who have each tallied eight times. Rino's seem to be back in form, despite a loss to promotion hopefuls Guildford last time out, and should give the Burnaby boys a good run out. I am tempted to call this one a draw but the White Eagle's offence tips the scales for me, as I'll take them to have enough fire power to leave with all the points on Sunday.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Just when it looked like thing in Div. 1 would head quietly towards the turn, a slip up by Guildford means that everything could go back in the blender by the end of this weekend. Also some mid-season re-branding as Burnaby Metro Athletic are now Metro Athletic FC Burnaby and will be hoping it's a case of a "the same great football brand you know and love, now with a sleek new package."

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 10:

Rino's Fury v Romania
Short week for Rino's as they have opted to take the long weekend off and play on Thursday. The Vancouver boys were thumped on Sunday 5-1 at the hands of White Eagles and will now take on the Burnaby boy's mid-table partners, Romania. The Romanians had a what is starting to amount to a bye week, though it was seemingly not all a cake walk as they only managed a 2-0 over bottom of the table GN North Delta. Rino's will certainly have more verve than the GN crew but Romania have acquitted themselves well this season and deserve to play the role of favourites in this one, based on their results to this point of the campaign. Rino's have lost two straight in rather convincing fashion and bleed goals, averaging over two against per game. That being said defending is not proving to be Romania's strong suit either as their 19 goals against are easily the most conceded by any team in the top seven. When you factor in that they kept clean sheets against the two bottom teams as well as, impressively, Guildford, when they do concede, they average over three goals against per game. It would stand to reason then, that if you can score at least once against the Europeans, you will score again and a look at their result confirms that, indeed, they have not held any opponent this season to just a single goal. It's either shutout or bust it would seem which should mean there will be plenty of goals in this one. Midweek games can often throw a wrench in a team's planning, leading to drab affairs, so a draw would not surprise me. However, if this is to be a shootout I'll back Romania's better goal scoring record to see them come out on top.

Metro Athletic v GN North Delta
The Burnaby boys were handed a gift when Guildford bottled things against GN Sporting last weekend and are set to receive another gift this weekend as it is there turn against league basement dwellers, GN North Delta. The North Delta boys have showed some fightback in their last couple of games, still losing, but the scorelines are creeping towards respectability. They will be heavy underdogs once more this weekend and it would take a brave man to bet against the powerful Metro especially when they have a chance to leap back into a promotion place by the end of the round if results go their way.

GN Sporting v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
Good mid-table clash here as sixth plays seventh and two teams that look very much set to finish the season around about where they are now. White Eagles have proven themselves to be the proverbial mid-table team, there 5-4 record has literally scene them lose to the teams above them and win against the teams below them in the standings. Impressively, when they do win they usually do so in style having bagged a whopping 31 goals over their nine matches so far. This includes last weekends 5-1 romp over Rino's in which, it appears, that neither of their leading goal scorers, Vuk Erbez or Matlash Vladyslav - each with eight goals, tallied (however, the goal scoring stats may have yet to be updated). Regardless, it is suffice to say that this team is getting goals from everywhere. GN Sporting, meanwhile, crash the party of their Surrey neighbours, Guildford, holding them to a 1-1 last time out and landing a solid body blow to their local rival's promotion hopes. It should be finely poised as GN a making a habit of playing close games with a 3-0 loss to top of the table NorVan Lions serving as their only fixture this year to have been decided by more than one goal. Will White Eagles be able to blow things open and set their vaunted offense loose? Or will GN be able to grind out another result? It could easily go either way, but I'll tip the scales towards Burnaby's goals and their record against teams below them in the table.

NorVan Lions v Richmond Royals
NorVan are surely in dreamland with only lowly Richmond and then a top table clash against Guildford standing between them and a perfect first half of the campaign. The North Shore boys will be heavy favourites again this week given Richmond are toiling among the relegation places and seemingly short on quality. The Lions are fully six points up on promotion and four points up on their closest challengers for the title, Guildford, who they will play next weekend. By that time, if results go their way, they could be in a position to move a full eight to nine points up on promotion with a win. They certainly won't want to be getting ahead of themselves, as the VMSL has long proven to be a new league after the Winter Break, but certainly that would leave the NorVan crew in fantastic shape for a return to Premier.

NorVan Storm v Binger's Army
Since a four game unbeaten run it has been a bit of a reality check for NorVan Storm, though they did well to bounce back from a 7-0 pounding at the hands of their NorVan cousins the Lions with a good performance in a 2-1 loss against another top side in Metro Athletic last week. They have a great a chance to get back in the win column at home this weekend, however, when struggling Bingers come to the North Shore. The Army are a shadow of their former/usual selves and could desperately do with an injection of bodies and some youth and quality wouldn't hurt either. Binger's are without a goal in a month, having not scored since their lone win on the year over GN North Delta, though they did earn a point against North Delta's GN counterparts, Sporting, in a 0-0. It has been back to back 4-0 defeats to former Premier clubs NorVan Lions and Columbus and the Army are hovering a mere one point above the drop zone. Surely the Storm will see a wounded foe an be confident of their speed and skill earning them the three points this weekend. NorVan would do well to tread carefully though, as Binger's are savvy veterans and will see this match a chance to pick up crucial points that might just be the difference when it comes to avoiding relegation. A look at their upcoming fixture list doesn't make for easy reading becasue, after this weekend, it is difficult to see where the Army have a strong chance of earning points again this calendar year, save for a monumental relegation six-pointer against Richmond when the first of the reverse fixtures are played in two weeks time. Other than that, Bingers will play four games against teams in the top half of the table. Add it all up and the Army would be well advised to put in a strong showing and try and get something out of their trip across the river. Given their lack of bodies as well as their distain for travel and weekend games though, it is tough to see it happening.

Columbus v Guildford
MOTW as a suddenly wobbling Guildford travel to Empire to play a Columbus side desperate for a lifeline. Guildford once more failed to take all three points from a mid-table team when they drew their local rivals GN Sporting 1-1 last weekend. They now face a crucial two weeks that could have massive implications on the promotion race before the reverse fixtures begin. The Surrey boys play recently relegated Columbus, who are currently fourth in the table, this weekend followed by welcoming league leaders NorVan to Newton next week. Guildford could well use a page out of NorVan's book, as the current first place side boast a 100% record and are setting an example for the definition of a promotion campaign. Things are still well poised for Guildford however, as a win in East Van would strike a hammer blow to Columbus and their promotion chances putting the Italians fully seven points off the promotion pace. A further win next week would put the title back within their reach, moving them just one point back of NorVan. On the flip side a loss this week would see them, in all likelihood, surrender their promotion place and a subsequent loss next week could see them fall as many as four points back of the top two places. This has traditionally been a difficult time of the season for the Surrey boys and they have watched strong starts fizzle in two successive campaigns to leave them stuck in this division and frozen out of the VMSL's top flight. Columbus surely need to be desperate this weekend and it will be interesting to see if the have another gear, having just seen off the bottom two teams in the league. After this week they have two tricky fixtures against mid-table partners Romania and Burnaby Selects, neither of which will be slam dunks. If the Italians aren't careful they might well find their promotion ambitions evaporated before Christmas. All in all it sets up as a top quality fixture and let's hope it's a cracker. As for a winner, I honestly think it sets up for these two teams to cancel each other out and a draw would really throw a wrench in the top four.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Turned up to see a top of the table tilt down at Empire, but while I made it out and Columbus were there, I think someone forgot to tell Guildford to show. This game was over before it started, with the Italians up 2-0 inside 20 mins and another two before half time. Nothing special about their attack, it was mostly straight line balls that were absolutely decimating the Guildford back line. Not sure if they were just really poorly executing an offside trap, but the amount of one-on-ones with defenders or out and out breakaways they were conceding was astonishing. By the time DeBlasio timed his run to walk in unopposed for the 4-0 goal just before halftime it was becoming comical and seemed as though we would be heading for and even more lopsided scoreline.

In the second half the Surrey boys were slightly more organized and appeared a bit more comfortable on the ball, however, they still looked like conceding at at any moment. Columbus had some guilt edged opportunities to extend their lead but failed to do so and perhaps a lack of killer instinct can be excused at 4-0. Honestly that scoreline likely flattered Guildford who are now outside of the promotion places with this result combined with Metro Athletic's earlier 1-0 win over GN North Delta. It doesn't get any easier for the Surrey boys who welcome league leaders NorVan next Friday night and will need a much better effort if they hope to take anything from that match. They were second best all over the pitch on Saturday and almost looked satisfied to be so. Even when they did mount an attack, they would get impatient and settle for bad shots that mostly sailed wide. They were denied a late consolation when a deftly chipped ball hit the post and again a few minutes later when their striker took a heavy touch rounding the goalie, but their performance hardly merited a goal.

Columbus, for their part, looked a much better and more determined side than when I saw them play Bingers a few weeks back. Having Poli back at the heart of defense was definitely a plus, but all over the team they looked re-energized. This was a fairly massive game for them and a fantastic result that catapults them right back into the promotion race. If they can get a win over White Eagles next week they will leapfrog Guildford into third place at the turn, should the Surrey boys fail to come away with anything against NorVan. One concern for the Italians was Stevie limping off with a bit of a hamstring issue around the hour mark. They will hope it was just precautionary, as losing him up front for any length of time would be tough replace.
 

Canucks4Ever

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This week marks the final round of games before the reverse fixtures and the first half of the season has provided many story lines. The Top 4 in Division one have lived up to their billing, though I am not sure, based on the past two seasons, that anyone would have pick NorVan as the team to begin pulling away by the midway point of the season. At the bottom, perhaps the last minute creation of GN North Delta, following the real North Delta crawling back to the FVSL, always meant they were a likely candidate for the drop zone, but the struggles of long time stalwarts Binger's Army, the rebranded former South Delta - Richmond FC and last years upstarts Rino's have come as a surprise. Still plenty of points on the board in the second half of the season, a yet one more week before we even get into it!

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 11:

Binger's Army v Metro Athletic
Sure enough the Army came away with a point on the North Shore last weekend. It is results like that which prove this group still has the gumption to stay in this division. They will need plenty more performances such as the one that they put in this past week before they can feel safe, but it should leave the Army with a spring in their step heading into next week's massive relegation six-pointer in the reverse fixture against Richmond. Between now and then there is another Wednesday night home game to deal with against Metro Athletic. The Burnaby boys moved into a promotion place over the weekend with their win over bottom of the table GN North Delta and remained there when Guildford lost to Columbus. Certainly would have expected better than a 1-0 result against league whipping boys ND, but all that matters at the end of the day is the result. To their credit, GN having been turning in better performances of late, so perhaps they are not longer to be considered an automatic. Maybe Binger's can point to that score line and suggest it points to Metro being at less than their best, but I would expect Navid and Co. to be determined to keep their second place standing as we come into the turn. There's always a chance it all goes the Army's way; it's a mid-week tilt, with Metro coming off a lukewarm outing while Binger's will be feeling good after an important away point, plus Metro with a couple of names on the hot-sheet for yellow card accumulations. Surely though Metro are still favourites in this one.

Guildford v NorVan Lions
MOTW and possibly even the biggest match of their history for the Surrey boys. A slight hyperbole, perhaps, but this is a very important fixture for Guildford not only in terms of points, but in terms of their identity as well. After bursting onto the scene three years ago and making up part of one of the most competitive and entertaining Division 1 seasons on record (though this year could still prove to rival it depending on how the races shape up in the second half) Guildford would fizzle out down the stretch and place fourth behind experienced sides Westside, Columbus and North Delta. With Surrey United leaving the league, all three of those teams went up to Premier and surely Guildford would have considered themselves heirs apparent. A merger with CCB would ultimately prove ill-fated and a coaching changes seemed to leave them lacking leadership. Still though, they began the season brightly once more, only to finish, again, outside of the promotion places after yet another poor second half of the campaign. This season was to be different, though; a fresh start with a couple years of experience and Sasa Jecanski reinstalled as head coach. With the North Delta experiment failing, there was essentially only Columbus coming down from Premier and even if the default is to make the recently relegated teams favourites for an immediate return, it meant, at the very least, that the second promotion spot would surely be wide open. Again the Surrey boys began the year brightly with only a draw against mid-table Romania to blemish their record through eight games. Then, however, another wobble, slipping up at home to their Surrey rivals GN Sporting, followed by a real body blow in their 4-0 loss to Columbus last week. Columbus had looked listless to this point of the season and were clinging on in the promotion race. Guildford had a chance to make it a seven point gap between them and the Italians, which would have been a massive dent in Columbus's promotion hopes. Instead, the experience showed for the former Premier team and Guildford were made to look second class. Now it is the Surrey boy's turn to show some desperation, as a loss this week could well see them drop to fourth place and be fully four points off the promotion places at the halfway mark of the season. Not the best week to see league leader's NorVan on the schedule then, or, perhaps, the perfect week. Maybe this is the spark that Guildford need, but, at this point, it would be quite the upset. Talking about seizing the opportunity with Columbus being the only true "relegated" team this year, NorVan have grabbed the bull by the horns. After being well off the pace following their relegation a season ago, it seemed like the entire program North of the river was rudderless and just sort of floating off into the abyss. Fast forward eight months and we find a rejuvenated group marching unchallenged towards a return to the VMSL's top flight. They lead in all the major stats: points, goal difference, goals for, goals against and Will Kendall leads the league with a scorching 15 goals from 10 games. NorVan holds one of only two 100% records remaining in the VMSL (the other belongs to an O45 Division 1 team...). They have now gone a month without conceding a goal and have only been scored on twice since the beginning of October. Ironically the closest they have come to dropping points was a narrow 3-2 victory over bottom of the table GN North Delta. Indeed, "dream start" might be a bit of an understatement; I cannot recall the last time a team was this dominant in Division 1. It's certainly not unheard of, but last year no one really romped away to the title, nor the season before as alluded to with Westide, Columbus and North Delta. I recall the year Westside were relegated the first time along with Inter, both those two went 10-0 before drawing with each other in Week 11 on their way to both making an immediate return to Premier. Inter would kick on and perhaps go without a loss that year, but maybe someone has a better memory than I and can clarify. Back to this year and this week and it is a mighty tall task for Guildford. I may have picked them on gut feel based on it being a big occassion, but certainly not after seeing them against Columbus last week. NorVan for 11-0!

Richmond Royals v NorVan Storm
Newly promoted NorVan have managed to get their feet under themselves at this level. After an inauspicious 0-3 start to their life in Div. 1, the North Shore boys have steadied the ship of late. They seem to be learning to battle as even though they are winless over their last five matches they have still picked up three points with a trifecta of 2-2 draws, including one with promotion contenders Columbus. While they surely would have liked to come away with more from matches with fellow bottom half of the table inhabitants Binger's and Rino's, points against those experienced sides are exactly what NorVan need to continue to pick up to stay well clear of a relegation battle. Three points this week over second bottom Richmond would leave them with 12 points from the first half of the schedule and certainly on pace to stay in the division. The former South Delta boy's new existence as part of Richmond has not gone anywhere near to plan. With only four points on the season, relegation is starting to look a very real possibility. A massive rematch with their nearest rivals Binger's looms in a week's time and Richmond will have seen the Army pick up a point against this very same NorVan crew last weekend. They would do well to match that level of desperation as any and all points would be crucial contributions towards the Richmond boy's hopes for survival. I think NorVan will be hungry for a win however and nothing I have seen to this point gives me a reason to think Richmond will put all the pieces together this week. I'll take NorVan to round out the first half with a win.

GN North Delta v Rino's Fury
GN North Delta have looked better of late and are coming off arguably their best performance of the season since a 3-2 loss to league leaders NorVan back in September. They were only narrowly beaten 1-0 at, now second place, Metro Athletic last time out and are trending in the right direction. True, they remain well off the pace, rooted to the bottom of the table, and goal scoring is a major problem, given they have only found the net five times to this point of the year, but perhaps brighter days are on the horizon. They will try to avoid a winless first half of the season this week when they take on a Rino's team that has also had their struggles so far this season. With only seven points to show for they efforts, the Fury are a shadow of the team that took the league by storm last year. They have, however, taken all six points from the other two teams below them in the table, Binger's and Richmond, so they will be confident of pick up another three this week and moving farther away from a potential relegation scrap. Rino's are obviously favourites in this one, but would do well not to overlook their opponents. If GN come with the right attitude and smell blood in the water, they might just be able to throw another wrench in the Fury's plans for their season.

Romania v GN Sporting
Both sides are firmly mid-table and both are coming off good wins in their last outing. Romania saw of Rino's 1-0 with a result that sees them still hovering around the periphery of the promotion race. Meanwhile, GN were very impressive in a 4-2 victory of newly promoted goal machine Burnaby Select White Eagles. This win was on the back of a solid 2-2 draw with their Surrey cousins, and promotion hopefuls, Guildford. After a season that saw them barely retain their place in Division 1, GN already look safe for another season and will be targeting a further move up the table in the second half of the season. Promotion is likely a very faint dream for Romania, but a miraculous second half might see them playing very meaningful games come the New Year. Also an impressive campaign for a team that has lived closer to the bottom of the league than the top since coming up from Division 2 four years ago. If they are serious about hanging with the big boys, they will need to be taking all the spoils against teams like GN. The Surrey boys are in form at the moment though, undefeated in their last four. Romania might just shade it statistically, but it sets up as a fairly even one between fifth and seventh. I'll call this one a draw.

Burnaby Selects White Eagle v Columbus
What a win for Columbus with their season all but on the line against Guildford last weekend. It was an emphatic performance in a 4-0 victory and certainly, having clawed back into the promotion hunt, the Italians will be keen to consolidate their position and not to let any ground slip at the next time of asking. With a 5-5 record on the year Burnaby are not to be taken lightly and their loss against GN last week was the first time they have lost this season to a team below them in the table. Columbus are above the former Serbian, so it bodes well for their chances, but Serbia have been having great success finding the net this year, with only league leaders NorVan having scored more than the White Eagles' 33 goals. Columbus have rediscovered their offensive touch of late too however, scoring four times in each of their last three games. The second, third, fourth and fifth leading goal scores will all feature in this one, though Vuk Erbez and Matlash Vladyslav have been stuck on eight goals apiece for a few weeks now. It would seem likely that we should have a high scoring affair in this one, so 0-0 it is I'm sure. Certainly both sides would be happy for a 1-0, but I have to think it will be a shootout. Columbus are in form and on the hunt, I'll back the Italians to win and keep climbing the table.
 

Canucks4Ever

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Boooommmm!

It's not even the weekend yet and already my predictions are out the window. @big gk and Bingers reclaiming some vintage form and doing what they have been doing for years, throwing a wrench in the promotion race. Also a massive point for Bingers to pick up setting up the opportunity to deal a massive blow to Richmond in the relegation race next weekend. Even better news for Norvan who can move 8 points clear at the top with a win this weekend.
 

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the metros needed an 85th minute pk rebound to equalize dissapointed not to have all 3. but big point regardless
 
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