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

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Canucks4Ever

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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.
 

machel

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How veteran are Bingers nowadays @big gk ?
Might as well start working your way up the Masters ranks soon ;)
Friday night games..worth it! haha
 

Canucks4Ever

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0 for 1 already @Canucks4Ever

Binger's 0-5 Burnaby Selects White Eagles

I'm guessing the Burnaby team picked up some guys since winning Div2.

Ya, like I said, always felt it had the potential to go that way. Definitely a tipping point game for White Eagles, looks like they will be solid this season.
 

Phil lennox

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im not involved with the storm anymore but I was for the first two games. The first game we were very
Competitive but gave up a few too many easy chances and didn't take our own. The 7-0 was one of our worst performances as a unit. They played well but we were just awful. Everyone in the storm group agrees. I wish them all the best luck for the rest of the season. I think they have the players to really push hard in this division. J think last weeks performance was a ale il call and better performances will come. I hope
 

GoF

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Finally got out to see some VMSL action this season.

Columbus thumped Rino's 4-0. Could have been more. Not sure if it's that Columbus were really good, Rino's were really bad, or a combination of both but Rino's hardly at the races.

First video of the season from me too. Here's all the goals and a couple of other chances.

 

ref44

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@ref44 , after a couple of season being bridesmaids in div2...now you're at the next level! We know the result but how was the game? Indicative of the score?
We had about 60% of the play. Usual thing couldn't score on chances. Scored an own goal Came back to 2-1 and couldn't score. 5 new guys in the lineup
In our next one it was like the guys didn't want to be bothered.
Against Romania we should have won. Went up twice and squandered it away. Still early. Always started slow.
 

ref44

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@ref44 what do you think of div 1 so far, compared to div 2? You went from 10 posts a day to :lock:? 7-0? Looks like that div 1 spot is costing you more than just couple grand ;)
Still think we will stay up. Some new guys in line up just starting to settle in. We will be there. Not enough time in the week to post it seems. Lots going on. Here on the shore
 

Canucks4Ever

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Heard GN v Burnaby was a contentious one. GN was up 1-0 on a penalty, Burnaby missed a penalty to equalize. Lots of cards for time wasting by GN and two goals in the injury time that Ruben added on at the end to win it for Burnaby. One of the GN players let Ruben know his feelings after the match- no points for guessing how that one ended...
 

machel

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We had about 60% of the play. Usual thing couldn't score on chances. Scored an own goal Came back to 2-1 and couldn't score. 5 new guys in the lineup
In our next one it was like the guys didn't want to be bothered.
Against Romania we should have won. Went up twice and squandered it away. Still early. Always started slow.

A little hard to believe you had 60% of possession vs Guildford and lost by that score line but not impossible. From experience, there's usually a big jump from going up a division. Some teams have managed it well the last few years I must say. You guys are probably just a few games away from getting up to speed.

Also big gaps starting to form from the top of the table to the bottom. The contenders are firing right now! We'll see what Burnaby Metro is made out of this coming weekend when they face another legit promotion contender in Guildford.

I'm surprised with the Fury's start to the season? Sophomore slump?
Things don't get any easier this week against Norvan!

Still early days tho fellas. good luck.
 

ref44

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A little hard to believe you had 60% of possession vs Guildford and lost by that score line but not impossible. From experience, there's usually a big jump from going up a division. Some teams have managed it well the last few years I must say. You guys are probably just a few games away from getting up to speed.

Also big gaps starting to form from the top of the table to the bottom. The contenders are firing right now! We'll see what Burnaby Metro is made out of this coming weekend when they face another legit promotion contender in Guildford.

I'm surprised with the Fury's start to the season? Sophomore slump?
Things don't get any easier this week against Norvan!

Still early days tho fellas. good luck.
I agree with the couple of games away as we have some new players and almost a new back line. That's how it went against Guilford. Their coach that Serbian ref is back again and was doing the but cussing and swearing at them. We just didn't score on our early chances and they do later. 2 goals came late in the game as we pressed up and their second was an own goal on an errant head out went off the wrong point of our centre backs head.
 

GoF

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Took in the battle of the undefeated at Burnaby Lake tonight. Guildford 2-1 winners over Burnaby Metro Athletic.

Guildford went one up just before half time. Burnaby Metro tied it up with about 17 minutes left then Guildford nicked winner ten minutes later. Enjoyable, end to end game.

Big moment at start of second. Metro player in on goal, rounds Guildford keeper about 25 yards out, brought down. Guildford said he dived. Was right in front of me and looked like the was clipped. So either he dived and should have been booked, but why you would do that with an empty goal gaping, or the keeper brought him down for a last man red card. Ref gave free kick and just booked keeper!

Nearly a fight between some of the older fans from both teams too, just to add to the spice off the pitch!
 

Canucks4Ever

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Missed last week, just not enough hours. I likely would have gone 4/6, missing Guildford over Burnaby Metro and probably calling Bingers Romania a draw. Definitely would not have predicted the scorlines by which NorVan Storm and White Eagles won by. Sure, we'll never know how my predictions actually would have fared, so rather than argue the past, let's look into the future...

Completely Baseless Predictions for Week 5:

Bingers Army v GN North Delta
If Bingers are to ensure an umpteenth consecutive season in Division 1, it's time to start putting some points on the board. Age finally seems to have caught up to the Army after seemingly defying the odds for the last number of years and even contending at the top of the table, never mind just surviving. This season, however, looks to be a different animal as they have been well off the pace in their last three matches. If they are to avoid relegation, six points off lowly GN North Delta look to be an absolute must. Whatever incarnation of GN or ND or any other letters this team from South of the river is, they are struggling. If they raised any eyebrows by playing promotion contenders NorVan Lions close on the North Shore (only narrowly losing 3-2), they gave back any goodwill that performance might have earned when they were thumped 6-0 at home this past weekend by fellow strugglers NorVan Storm. Looks like a long season on the cards for this group. Bingers should smell blood in this one and they are experienced enough to know that they need all three points.

Guildford v Burnaby Selects White Eagles
Match of the Week here as two in form side square off in Surrey. White Eagles have been on an absolute tear since losing their opening game at NorVan Lions scoring 17 goals over there last three games. Vuk Erbez has announced himself onto the scene, bagging 7 of Burnaby's league leading 18 goals. The former Serbians have served notice to the league that they are not to be taken lightly; treat them with respect or suffer the consequences. Guildford, for their part, seem to have recaptured the air they had about them two seasons ago. Perhaps it has something to do with the return of Sasa Jecanski as coach, but whatever the case, the team put in a quality performance against a Burnaby Metro side that is not accustomed to losing. It is a fixture that the Surrey boys might not have found a way to win in previous seasons and the fact that they came away with the full allotment of points should point to their character and pedigree as promotion candidates. Does that means they can slow down the White Eagles red hot offence? Well that's why this game is the MOTW. Should be an absolute cracker as Burnaby will be fearless and Guildford might just be squeezing the stick slightly in what is already shaping up to be a razor tight promotion race, just a month into the campaign. Nonetheless, I am going to take Guildford as, if they truly are going to be there come February, they need to find a way to win games like this one.

Columbus v Burnaby Metro Athletic
Close runner up for MOTW as this pits two teams who will fancy their promotion chances against each other, both having made good starts to the season. Columbus one of three 4-0 teams atop the standings while Burnaby lost their first match last week to fellow contender Guildford. After looking comfortable in their first three fixtures, the Italians were finally made to work for it by GN Sporting last week, only sneaking past them with a 3-2 victory. Columbus have been here before though, and they know that it doesn't matter how you get the points, just THAT you get the points. Metro Athletic, though, seem to be wobbling somewhat. After needing some late game heroics to get past the aforementioned GN Sporting, they slipped up at home against Guildford. Certainly there are more wins in the pipeline for a very talented Burnaby squad, but Columbus is likely not the team they would be hoping to see on the docket when they are looking for a bounce back game. I think the Italians might be catching Navid and Co. while they are slightly vulnerable and the former Premier boys should have the experience necessary to sense that and pounce on it. I like Columbus in this one.

NorVan Storm v Rino's Fury
Storm finally got off the mark in their long awaited Division 1 campaign with a resounding win over the enigma that is GN North Delta. True it looks like that the GN boys will be occupying the league basement this season, but still, clattering in the goals is good for the confidence as well as reeling back in some of the goal difference that they had shipped in their first three outings at this level. It's always nice to have things go right. Nothing has gone right to this point for the Rino's crew as they were waived away for the fourth time on the spin last time out against NorVan Lions. This group desperately needs something positive to build off of, much the same way that NorVan Storm did last week. The Storm might come in with confidence, but they certainly have a long way to go before establishing themselves as a bona-fide Division 1 team. Rino's did establish themselves last season, but have gone a long way towards eroding that status with their start to this campaign. They should be a desperate team this week and maybe that puts them over the top. Not expecting a master class in this one, but certainly either team could win it. Neither side with a clear edge though, so I can see these side settling for a draw.

NorVan Lions v GN Sporting
NorVan have made an undefeated 4-0 start to the season but, other than White Eagles on opening day who it would seem may not have been at full capacity given their results since then, they have yet to face a top team. The North Shore boys have been efficient in their performances if not exactly domineering. The results are all that matter, but you have to wonder if there are any lingering demons from last season's collapse still needing to be exorcised. Meanwhile GN Sporting have looked a far cry from a team that just barely staved off relegation at the end of last season with a win and a pair of good performances against top teams in Burnaby Metro and Columbus that perhaps they deserved more out of. The schedule makers certainly have not done them any favours with another title contender on the fixture list this week. I think GN's performances are trending in the right direction however and they are due to get a result. I'll say they knick a draw in this one.

Richmond FC Royals v Romania
Romania dusted off Bingers last week in what might have been a sort of passing of the torch game. Romania look to have all the tools to become Bingers 2.0: a team that is always tough to beat, takes some points off the contenders and always finds a way to end up mid-table. Only time will tell if that prediction will come to fruition, but with 6 points from 4 games and wins over teams below them and losses to teams above, they seem well poised to be in the middle of the pack. Richmond on the other hand are seemingly related only in name to the South Delta team that they merged with/took over. The core of a team that once finished in the top half of this league appears to be no more and in it's place are a group struggling to come to terms with the rigors of this league. Look for a win for the veteran Romanians.

BONUS
GN Sporting v GN North Delta
Rescheduled from Week 1 for 9pm on Thanksgiving Monday. If this game goes ahead I have to think Sporting should have little trouble coming away with the win, derby or not. Sporting will be facing two games in three days with North Delta having played on the Wednesday previous, rather than the weekend. Not sure Sporting will be thrilled with that set up, so perhaps they petition the league for a further postponement. Regardless though, Sporting should have enough to bag the points regardless of rest.
 
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