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MATCH REPORT Weekly Roundup - February 22nd & 23rd By Marion F Dent
Week number 21 saw only three of our teams in action and we were able to secure two victories with the Men’s Premier team losing their game and with the loss were eliminated from Imperial Cup play by a Pegasus team who quite frankly were the better team on the day and deserved their 3-1 victory. The Women’s Premier team entertained Poco F.C. at Cloverdale Athletic on Sunday in a league game and in the opening half neither team seemed able to create any worthwhile chances. However, the game opened up in the second frame and United regained their long lost scoring touch hammering in five goals in the second frame to register a convincing 5-0 victory. Diana Artuso led the way grabbing a hat-trick with single markers coming from Sara Maglio and Bianca Wilkinson. The Mens Division Two team continued their winning streak in the Division Two cup registering their third successive away overtime victory this time leaving it very late by notching the winner in the 118th minute. United started strongly and built up a commanding 2-0 half-time lead on goals by Chris Roots and Bjorn Wejr. Roots grabbed an early lead for United when he latched onto Dave Morris’ header from Nick Gollogly’s corner-kick. Then left back Bjorn Wejr hit a scorching low left foot drive into the corner of the net from twenty yards. The home team North Shore JB’s (presumably stands for Jim Beam????) then rocked United’s world with two quick goals in the opening five minutes of the second half to tie up the score at 2-2. United then received a further set-back when midfield general Dale Kahri received a second yellow resulting in his expulsion from the game and leaving United to battle the rest of the way with ten men. They responded magnificently battling hard all the way until with two minutes overtime play remaining Wejr struck again with another highlight reel effort this time thumping a twenty five yard howitzer into the top corner of the net leaving the opposing keeper grasping at thin air. It was a goal good enough to win any cup-tie at any level and earned Bjorn this week’s Player of the Week Award. (This selection qualifies Bjorn with an automatic entry for the chance to win a trip for two to Mexico!!!!!). After successive road games United will be at home for their next cup game (The Round of Sixteen) and will play the winners of either Westside “C” or West Vancouver Royals. The Men’s Premier team chose a bad time to end their six game win streak as they exited from the Imperial Cup competition losing 3-1 to North Shore Pegasus at Kinsman Stadium on Sunday afternoon. United had enjoyed two previous successive victories over Pegasus at Kinsman in League play and were confident about their chances in the “tie of the round”. Pegasus opened strongly and deservedly took the lead in the thirtieth minute of the game forcing home a rebound from close range after Drew Smiley had done well to block the initial shot. In the second half United received a further set-back when midfielder Clayton Dobbin received a red card for a last man back professional fowl. The task became even tougher for United, five minutes later, when Pegasus striker Randy Celebrini produced the goal of the year with a spectacular over the head bicycle kick that rocketed into the net. United rallied bravely and with five minutes remaining were awarded a penalty kick when Shawn Blakeway was brought down in the penalty area. Greg Brisbon calmly tucked the spot kick into the corner of the net to reduce the deficit. However, with United throwing everything forward in search of the equaliser they left some gaps at the back and Pegasus added a further goal in stoppage time to complete United’s misery for the day. At the end of the day Pegasus were full value for the win as United produced their poorest effort in recent months and will have to regroup for the balance of league play. |
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