MATCH REPORT

Weekly Roundup - January 17th & 18th

By Marion F Dent
Press Associates

	Player of the Week Evan Howard VMSL Under 21 MWSL Premier Surrey United 5-1 SBAA Saints December 14, Fleetwood Click here for multi-photo slideshow

The first weekend back after the weather enforced Christmas break proved to be a disaster for most of the teams in the club with four of our seven teams losing important games. The men’s masters, Division two team and only Under 21 teams were all able to record victories.

The Men’s Division One team started the weekend off losing 2-1 to Sportstown after United had started brightly and grabbed an early lead on a fine individual effort by Jacob Lensky who beat the opposing keeper with a low shot from eighteen yards. Thereafter, United struggled to put together any sustained possession and too often gave up possession unnecessarily. Sportstown, took advantage of some defensive miscues and tied it up before the interval and then snatched a late winner to grab the three points.

The following day United’s premier team was also in action against Sportstown and suffered a devastating start from which they never recovered giving up two goals in the first ten minutes. United were under pressure for most of the half but did counter back but squandered two good chances to reduce the lead. In the second half United did enjoy most of the territorial advantage but hit the wood work and had two efforts cleared off the line as they pushed forward and Sportstown sat back but unfortunately United couldn’t break the twine.

In Division Two action United beat perennial cellar dweller Bombastic 2-0
At Cloverdale Athletic Park. Trevor Tagieff opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute and dale Kahri got United’s second in the thirty second minute with Chris Roots assisting on both goals. From that moment forward United put it in cruise control for the rest of the game which proved to be very uneventful except for the fact that goalkeeper Kevin Woronchuk registered his sixth shut-out of the season.

The Under 21 team traveled to last place City FC and after only twenty minutes of play had established a six goal lead. United went on to register a 10- victory as they played two touch and with ten men for most of the second half. Goalscorers were Evan Howard with four goals, Lee Grant and Andrew Oliver with a pair each and singles form Jacob Lensky (plus 4 assists) and Adam Blois.

The Men’s Masters team beat second place rivals Surrey Firefighters 2-1 in a crucial match that ended up being played at Cloverdale Athletic Park. United got up by two goals but then Firemen pulled a goal back in the eightieth minute to set up a nerve racking final ten minute which United somehow survived to preserve the three points.

In ladies action the premier team lost 2-0 at home to Sportstown UBC after completely dominating most of the first half. Once again, United’s lack of finish after creating numerous chances came back to haunt them. Fifteen minutes into the second half UBC were awarded a penalty which they converted to score the all important goal Although United battled back hard they couldn’t break a strong UBC rearguard which held firm throughout and allowed their forwards to ice the victory by scoring late in the game.

In ladies division one action Surrey United suffered a heavy defeat losing 5-0 at Aldergrove. United thought they had opened the scoring at the fifteen minute mark when Kaitlen Clarke converted a neat pass from Karen Young only to see the effort disallowed for offside. From that point forward United fell apart as it appeared to be suffering from the effects of the long lay off. Aldergrove built up a 3-0 lead by the interval as every shot they appeared to take found it’s way into the Surrey net. In the second half United missed two or three good scoring chances and Aldergrove made good on theirs to record a comfortable victory. Both ladies teams will get a chance to avenge their losses next week as they both face the same opposition again.

Evan Howard’s four goal haul earns himself 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.