West Van v Coquitlam Metro Ford
Let's hope it's a cracker (would be great to get a match report...)
I made it out to Ambleside on Friday night. West Van scored their first goal very early. A cross came in from the Metro Ford goalkeeper's lefthand side and a West Van attacker got an excellent glancing header to it and redirected the ball just inside the back post. West Van scored their second goal about ten minutes later on a very similar play. A waist-high cross came in from the goalkeeper's lefthand side and a West Van player reached and got a foot to it. His touch was enough to re-direct the ball just out of the goalkeeper's reach and into the far corner. 2-0 West Van within 15 minutes.
The next three chances went to Metro Ford. On Metro Ford's first chance, they were able to spring West Van's backline and whipped in a low cross which was redirected on target by Metro Ford's striker. The West Van goalkeeper made an excellent reaction save to his lefthand side and the ball went out for a corner kick. Metro Ford's next chance was a well struck shot from about 25 yards out that was also saved by the West Van goalkeeper. Their third opportunity was a free-kick about 25 yards out that was blocked well by the West Van wall.
After the three Metro Ford opportunites, West Van almost got their third goal. A freekick from about 40 yards out was put on net. The Metro Ford goalie tried to catch the ball, mishandled it and the ball shaved the outside of the post ad it went out for a corner kick. 2-0 for West Van at half time.
West Van had another chance to go up 3-0 early into the second half. A cross came in for an open West Van player at the back post but he was unable to convert the golden opportunity. Metro Ford had a very good chance to pull one back. A cross came in from the righthand side. A Metro Ford attacker got a foot on the cross but a West Van defender reacted excellently and cleared it off of the line. Metro Ford then put another free kick into the West Van wall from about 30 yards out. West Van had a couple of breakaways to close out the game but one was saved by the Metro Ford goalkeeper, while the other one was wasted as the West Van attacker attempted to chip the goalkeeper, but went clear over the net. 2-0 final.
Metro Ford had a few great chances but in my humble opinion, and no offense intended to Metro Ford, West Van were the better team on the day. Metro Ford had the majority of possession and their front six players were very fluid in their movement and shape, but West Van was very well organized, ruthless in defense and dangerous on the counter attack. West Van was happy to let Metro Ford keep the ball and confident in their system. At the end of the day, it worked for them.