- Thread starter
- #141
SURREY UNITED WINS LEAGUE TITLE -- 2004-04-12
On Saturday afternoon, Surrey United defeated arch-rivals Westside Rino by a narrow 3-2 margin in front of numerous home town fans at Cloverdale Athletic Park. This marks the second time in two weeks that the Cloverdale team has beaten Rino's boys. The last time they met, Surrey United prevailed by an identical 3-2 score in the Imperial Cup semi-final. As a result of this latest victory, Surrey United wins the Premier Division championship for the second time in 3 years. In fact, only Surrey and Westside have won the league title over the past 5 seasons.
Both teams started the match cautiously and seemed somewhat apprehensive to take any risks. As the game progressed, however, both teams appeared more willing to gamble, particularly after Westside's opening goal at the 15th minute mark. Markus Felderer coolly tucked the ball into the net on a penalty kick that was awarded following a rather clumsy challenge by Dave Hleucka on Westside's veteran striker, Alex Percy. The goal seemed to spark Surrey United and shortly thereafter the home team was back on level terms when Shawn Blakeway headed down a Craig Dalrymple free kick for Michael Evans to head past Westside's goalkeeper Mike Wicken. The second half turned out to be a very exciting affair with plenty of goal scoring chances as both teams threw caution to the wind in search of the victory. Westside again took the lead at the 65th minute mark when Nenad Stojanovic made the most of some poor marking and headed home a well-flighted Mike Mosher free kick. United's coach, Martin Foden, responded by bringing on veteran Joe Deacon in his first appearance in quite some time. The substitution paid immediate dividends as Deacon dribbled past two opponents before hammering a low shot from outside the penalty box, a shot that eluded the outstretched fingertips of Mike Wicken. Westside came storming back in search of the game winner and United had to thank goalkeeper Drew Smiley for keeping the score level with a couple of phenomenal saves. Then, with about 10 minutes remaining in regulation time, Surrey youngster Sean Kelly seized the moment as he caught Mike Wicken off his line with a cheeky chip shot that the goalkeeper could barely get a hand on before it sailed over his head and into the net. The go-ahead goal set the stage for some frantic action in the last 10 minutes as Westside threw everything at the Surrey defence but once again were unable to beat Drew Smiley who came up with some huge saves to protect the slim lead. The final whistle could not come soon enough for the Surrey squad who showed some great resilience in twice coming back from one-goal deficits.
On Wednesday evening, at Brandrith Park in Tsawwassen, the VMSL all-star team gave the Vancouver Whitecaps everything they could handle in a well-played and thrilling exhibition game in front of some 1500 enthusiastic spectators. The quality of the soccer was outstanding as both teams displayed their considerable skills throughout the match. The Whitecaps, with no less than 7 VMSL players in their line-up, took the lead at the 15th minute mark when a cross from the left wing found David Morris completely unmarked for a simple tap-in from close range. The Whitecaps' Carlo Corazzin looked to be their most dangerous attacker but was kept off the score sheet by some excellent defending from Steve Millar and Tony Gaita as well as some great goalkeeping from Cory Breure. The VMSL all-stars almost levelled the score when Mike Gomes made a great run from the back before hammering a wicked left foot shot to the top corner only to have his Sporting Club team mate Alex Marques pull off a fantastic save. Steve Millar finally tied the score late in the first half as he took advantage of some poor Whitecap defending on a corner kick. The quality of the football continued to be terrific in the second half as the Whitecaps once again took the lead when newly signed Kevin Harmse blasted a long range shot past Didar Sandhu. The all-stars responded strongly and were almost rewarded when Tiernan King made a great solo run past two defenders before driving a powerful shot past Marques only to see the woodwork prevent what would have been a well-deserved goal. Forward Peter Bergholz was also unlucky on two separate occasions as, first, his fierce shot sailed just wide of the post, and then he had a great header saved by Marques. Late in the match, the Whitecaps delivered the killer punch when David Morris rose majestically to powerfully head home a well-placed corner kick. Overall, it was a terrific night of football with some excellent performances by both teams. If truth be told, the 3-1 score flattered the Whitecaps as the VMSL all-stars played well enough to take home a tie. Congratulations should be extended to the Tsawwassen Soccer Club executive for organizing this wonderful event.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: SURREY UNITED for its exciting and hard-fought 3-2 victory over Westside Rino. As a result of the victory, the Cloverdale team wins its second Premier Division title in 3 years.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Surrey United's goalkeeper DREW SMILEY for his amazing performance in his team's 3-2 victory over the ever powerful Westside Rino. Smiley pulled off some phenomenal saves to lead his team to victory. For his efforts, SMILEY wins a prize of a pizza for two, compliments of PAZZO TRATTORIA AND LOUNGE. The prize is available anytime, except for Mondays, up to 2004-04-22. The pizza must be consumed on the premises.
I had a very good look at the supposed 'rather clumsy challenge' and I can definitely say I...errr he didn't fcuking touch him. Alex tripped over his own size 12's and ran into errr.. the back who had already majestically rose up to head away the cross and Percy fell and yelped like a bloody dog. Even if it didn't look like that it was the third time a Westside player looked like they FONSACAED in the box in the first half.
The clumsy challenge came later, but it was at the top of the box.