MATCH REPORT

Weekly Roundup - December 13th & 14th

By Marion F Dent
Press Associates

	Player of the Week Ellen Malterer MWSL Premier Surrey United 5-1 SBAA Saints December 14, Fleetwood Click here for multi-photo slideshow

In Men’s Division Two action on Sunday at Cloverdale Athletic park Surrey United returned to winning ways by beating Elephant Walk Socceroos by 3-0 to lift then back into fourth place in the standings and if they win their games in hand gives them the opportunity to regain first place in the division. The visitors held United at bay with some resolute defending until the 57th minute when United got the all important breakthrough when some fine set-up play by Dale Kahri and Jay Robinson enabled Ezra Fenwick to fire home the game winner. United now poured on the heat and added a second goal eight minutes later from Trevor Tagieff. Chris Roots rounding out the scoring in the 85th minute and United played out the remaining five minutes to preserve the shut-out for keeper Kevin Woronchuk.

In Men’s premier team action United’s injury hit team lost two nil at home to Westside in what was easily the worst performance of the season. Too many players apparently went through the motions in order to give the team a chance of victory and they virtually mailed in their performances. Craig Dalrymple returned to the team after a two month absence and alarmingly for the other players looked at times the best player on the field. On defence, Martin Schaefer and Jackson Reeve making his first start looked to be in control but apart from the hard work of United’s Dave Hleucka up front United showed little attacking prowess. Midway through the first half you knew it wasn’t going to be United’s day when Dalrymple’s volleyed clearance hit Reeve in the face and rebounded into the net. Westside iced the victory with ten minutes remaining when their substitute capitalized on a defensive lapse to run through unchallenged and score.

The Men’s Division One team having watched the effort of the premier team emulated the effort and produced their worst performance of the season suffering their only loss of the season going down 1-0 to the same Westside team. United were unable to muster any worthwhile offence and can thank keeper Jason McKenzie for producing three great saves to keep the margin of defeat respectable. The Christmas break cannot come quickly for these two teams who in fairness to the premier have had a long season with their trip to the Nationals. However, if they want to go there again they need to recharge their batteries in a very short while as the season resumes on January 10th and we need to regain our team fitness with the return of the injured players now imminent.

The Men’s Masters team did not play as their opponents weren’t able to field a team and United were awarded the 3 points to extend their game winning streak to 12games which gives them a share of first place in the standings plus they have a game in hand on the joint leaders.

In ladies action the premier team beat local rivals SBBA for the second time in a week this time registering a more emphatic scoreline by winning 5-1 at Fleetwood Park. United’s game winner came at the fifteen minute mark when Nadia Guglielmini slotted home a powerful shot and the first half insurance marker came from Diana Artuso who was prominent throughout the entire game. United built on their 2-0 first half lead and added a pair of goals from the in-form Megan Blaker plus a single from new player Lindsay Rohla who celebrated her debut with a goal. Unfortunately, United keeper Jeanette McKay was unable to register the shut-out as she allowed a late goal when the greasy balll slipped through her hands and ended up in the net. The win coupled with a loss for the UBC team sees the Ladies grab top spot in the division.

In ladies division one action Surrey United extended their consecutive win streak to three games and at the same time handed out an 8-1 thrashing to an undermanned Langley Devils team at Cloverdale Athletic Park on Sunday. United opened the scoring at the seven minute mark when Nicole Gertsen disposed a Langley defender on the edge of the penalty area and then fired a low drive into the net. Katherine Fast tallied at the 21st minute firing home a volley following a quick counter attack that was set-up by Ellen Malterer and Kaitlen Clarke. Malterer was a constant thorn in the opposition tearing them apart virtually at will and she should have scored on a couple of occasions but missed the target. However, five minutes before the break she made amends pouncing on to a great through ball from Jen Hleucka and hammering home her shot from fifteen yards. The second half had a bizarre twist to it when Langley scored from a corner kick as two United players stood and watched the ball dribble over the line, each expecting the other to take charge and clear the danger. United then responded with five unanswered goals with Buettner getting her first of the season , Malterer adding her second of the game, and singles form Erin Slack, Danielle Jackle and leading scorer Kaitlen Clarke. The win moves United into a tie for second place with Duke’s Shooters and closes out a very creditable first half of the season.

Ellen Malterer with two goals and two assists wins this week’s player of the week award. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered into a random draw for the month for Dinner for Two.