MATCH REPORT

Weekly Roundup - April 12th & 13th

By Marion F Dent
Press Associates

	Player of the Week Cory Janzen VMSL Premier Surrey U-21 2-1 Gordon Head April 13, Cloverdale Athletic Park Surrey Premier 2-1 (OT) Gordon Head April 12, Cloverdale Athletic Park Click here for multi-photo slideshow

With all the league and cup games completed for the Winter season our men’s Premier, Under 21 and Masters teams all emerged victorious from their respective first round Provincial cup ties at Cloverdale Athletic Park this past weekend. Our ladies team do not start their provincial cup play until April 27th 2003.

On Saturday in the Men’s Senior “A” competition our premier team started the game strongly and after a sustained period of pressure deservedly took the lead when Todd Stauber cracked home a fierce low right foot shot from twenty yards after midfielder Cory Janzen had beaten two defenders before laying a perfect pass into the path of Stauber. However, ten minutes later the visiting team from Victoria Gordon Head tied up the game when Purves headed home a well taken free-kick by Steiner. United should have restored their lead before the half when firstly Golden Boot Winner Shawn Blakeway broke through on a breakaway but for once this season squandered the good opportunity and then on a second occasion Janzen's low shot was brilliantly turned round the post by Gordon Head's keeper.

In the second half United dominated the play but continued to squander good opportunities. Substitute Darren Villars missed two great chances and then with five minutes remaining Stauber was brought down in the area resulting in a spot-kick that the visiting keeper saved from Stauber. The missed opportunities could have proven costly for United but three minutes into overtime Blakeway set up left winger Clayton Dobbin who thumped a low left foot drive from fifteen yards into the back of the net via the near post upright. United progress to the next round and now must visit powerhouse Westside who last season beat United on a golden goal in the provincial cup semi-final.

In Under 21 action at Cloverdale the following day, the defending provincial champion Surrey United somewhat ironically duplicated the premier team effort with a 2-1 win also over Victoria Gordon Head. United opened the game strongly and both Sean Kelly and Kyle Krois came close to notching the opening goal. However, United did break the deadlock and deservedly took the lead at the fifteen minute mark thanks to a fierce low shot from eighteen yards by striker Jordan Gibbs that took a hint of a deflection on it's way into the net. Gordon Head pulled level ten minutes later with a header from a free-kick that was virtually a replica of their senior side’s goal the day before. Six minutes before half-time United were awarded a penalty when Krois was upended in the penalty area and unlike the senior team’s spot shot the day before United winger James Geibelhaus clinically slotted away the penalty.

In the second half, Gordon Head enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to penetrate the United defence which was composed, well organized and tenacious in the tackle. Striker, Sean Kelly might have provided the insurance marker but in a hectic goalmouth scramble he had three efforts blocked on the goal-line. At the end of the day the much younger United team were worthy winners against an older and physically bigger Gordon Head side.

In Masters action on Sunday the defending provincial champion Surrey United posted a warning to the other teams by devasting North Shore Nordic by a margin of 9-1. It required a statistician to register all the details so as far as we can determine her are the scorers Murray Howes 3, Steve Reed 2, Doug Muirhead 2 and singles from Bill Connor and Mike Marini.

This week’s player of the week award CORY JANZEN. (This selection qualifies Cory with an automatic entry for the chance to win a trip for two to Mexico!!!!!).