Surrey United Soccer

MATCH REPORT

Weekly Roundup - March 31st - April 4th

By Marion F Dent
Press Associates

Player of the Week
Mike Marini
Men's Masters

Imperial Cup Runners-Up

Pegasus 1-0 Surrey United
April 4, Kinsmen Stadium

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The Surrey United week began on Wednesday evening with a premier division “B” playoff game against Sporting at Newton Athletic Park with United emerging as the winners with a 1-0 victory. Sporting started brightly but failed to capitalize on two clear cut chances. United had the ball in the net midway through the half when Mike Evans forced it in from close range only to have the effort ruled out for off-side. With three minutes remaining in the half United delivered the killer blow when young Sean Kelly’s precise pass fell straight into the path of Shawn Blakeway who lifted the ball over the on-rushing Sporting goaltender Joe Pinto and into the net.

In the second half United dropped into a defensive posture and were content to counter-attack and although Sporting enjoyed a lot of possession they were unable to breakdown United’s strong defence and create any worthwhile shots but were restricted to a couple of long range efforts which United keeper Drew Smiley handled easily to maintain the shut-out. United might have added an insurance marker but Blakeway and Sean Crocker both missed good opportunities by screwing their shots wide of the net. United will now play for the league championship against Westside at Cloverdale Athletic Park on Saturday 10th April.

On the Saturday the Men’s Under 21 team played the last division one league game of the season and ended with a 1-1 tie against a much older and very physical Deep Cove Alumni team. The young lads fell a goal behind early on in the game but battled back to level the scores when Evban Howard latched onto a long punt by Jason McKenzie and crashed a shot past the Deep Cove keeper. Throughout the second half the Surrey United youngsters kept trying to play but were constantly hacked down. On the day a stronger referee might have dismissed some of the opponents for their tactics but our players were left to fend for themselves and thankfully emerged with no serious injuries despite a lot of bumps and bruises.

On Sunday two of our teams were involved in their respective league cup-finals and we had mixed fortunes with a win and a loss. The Masters team defeated Peace Arch 1-0 early in the morning but looked far from convincing in their victory. Mike Marini scored the game’s only goal midway through the opening frame. For the most part United fought a second half rearguard action and were hemmed into their own half of the field for most of the second half. However, strong defensive performances particularly from Steve Reed and goalkeeper Angelo Bonato helped to preserve the shut-out and the victory.

The mens premier team did not fair as well and lost 1-0 to Pegasus in the Imperial Cup-Final at Kinsman Stadium North Vancouver. Pegasus started the stronger of the two teams and took a deserved lead after twenty minutes when after dispossessing United of the ball they switched play quickly to find the open man and Mike Dodd hammered an unstoppable shot past United keeper Drew Smiley. After a lacklustre first half performance United looked a little more determined in the second half and took the game to Pegasus who seemed content to defend their one goal lead and wait for counter-attacks. United midfielder Rob Wilson had his volley well saved and in the dying minutes Mike Evans had his shot blocked on the goal-line to prevent the equalize on a day when United’s forwards were held in check by a well disciplined Pegasus defence.

Mike Marini of the mens masters team scored the all important cup-final goal for his team and is this week’s player of the week. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered into a random draw for the month for Dinner for Two.