MATCH REPORT

Weekly Roundup - March 20th & 21st

By Marion F Dent
Press Associates

Player of the Week
Shawn Blakeway
VMSL Premier

As we wind down to the end of the winter season Week number 25 saw only three of our 7 teams in action and we were able to secure three victories.

In Men’s Metro Premier action on Sunday the Surrey United premier team, who had already clinched their provincial spot through league play, played the vast majority of players played in an exhibition game against Khalsa at Cloverdale which ended in a 1-1 tie thanks to a second half goal by Ray Christensen who notched his first goal for the club. The game which is part of the build-up for the Provincial Cup competition followed on the heels of a Wednesday night exhibition against Trinity Western University which United won 3-0 thanks to a fine all round second half performance that saw striker Shawn Blakeway bag a pair of goals and striking partner Dave Hleucka grab the other marker. Immediately following the Khalsa exhibition game United hosted A.C. Milan in their final premier league game of the season. It gave Surrey the opportunity to introduce four more teenagers to premier team action with Allen Hewitt, Jordan Langelaar, James Geibelhaus and Lee Grant all making their debuts in the premier team in a line-up that also contained three other teenagers. That brings this year’s total to TEN teenagers who have played some premier team football this season. After a nervous start the players soon adjusted and went on to register a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Youngster James Giebelhaus opened the scoring at the twentieth minute heading home a Todd Stauber corner-kick. Ten minutes later it was full back Allen Hewitt who set-up Shawn Blakeway with his first goal of the game to give United a comfortable 2-0 lead at the half. A.C. Milan reduced the defecit midway through the second half but United responded immediately and restored their two-goal margin when Blakeway forced home a right wing cross from Lee Grant. “Team Blakeway” then completed the natural hat-trick by outpacing the opposing defence, rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the net to record r his league leading 18th goal of the season. Shawn’s performance earns him the coveted PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD for the second time this season.(This selection qualifies Shawn with an another automatic entry his shot narrowly wide of the target.

In Division Two action Surrey United bounced back after last week’s disappointing cup loss and resumed league play where they continued their march towards the division title when they overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to beat North Shore Lions 3-1 at Cloverdale Athletic Park. Division two leading scorer Chris Roots tied up the game early in the second half when he headed home a precisely measured corner-kick cross from Nick Gollogly. United should have grabbed the lead ten minutes but Bjorn Wejr failed to slot home a penalty kick but the same player made amends shortly afterwards powering home one of his “patented” left foot howitzers with Gollogly once again setting up the play. United continued to squander a bunch of scoring chances until Avi Yakub forced home the insurance marker, from close range, Chad Possey’s cross had created a hectic goalmouth scramble. A win in next week’s away game to Bombastic will give United the divisional title.

In Women’s premier action Surrey United won 11-0 against Semiahmoo Saints. There is obviously a huge gulf between the top and the bottom of the ladies premier. Goal-scorers in alphabetical order were Diana Artuso 2, Megan Blaker 3, Geri Donnelly 1, Vanessa Martino 1, Amy Stewart 1, Andrea Sumner 2 and Bianca Wilkinson 1.