This weekend saw six of our seven teams in action with the Under 21 game being postponed and we finished with a .500 record for the weekend registering two wins, two ties and two losses.

On the men’s side the weekend featured some important games against the top teams in the respective divisions and the Division One team started things off on a positive note with a 2-2 tie that was impressive in that the young team show some great determination coming back from being two goals down. Sporting, fortuitously took the lead when one of United’s defenders sliced an attempted clearance into his own net following a Sporting corner-kick. United bounced back strongly and enjoyed territorial dominance but could not convert the chances into goals due to poor finishing. Just before the half-time break United inflicted some further damage on themselves when an errant back-pass was played directly into the path of the Sporting forward who gave United keeper Jason McKenzie no chance with a well placed shot. United continued to dominate the open play but had to wait until the 70th minute to score when Chris Powell hammered home a right wing cross from Reshad Etminan to set the scene for a rousing finale. United’s midfielder Wyatt Seddon-Johnstone completed the comeback when he thumped home a glorious right foot shot from twenty-five yards out with five minutes remaining to give the young team a thoroughly deserved share of the points against a much older Sporting team.

The same two clubs saw their “A” teams do battle on the Sunday but this time the outcome was a disappointing loss for United losing 2-1 on a last minute goal to Sporting which enabled them to increase their lead over United who dropped to third spot in the divisional standings with Khalsa picking up a point after a goalless draw with Burnaby Canadians. United were missing nine players from their National championship roster due to a combination of injuries and players being unavailable. However, the game proved to be even more costly than just in the win and loss columns because during the course of the game United lost three further first teamers due to injury as Dave Hleucka, Rob Wilson and Clayton Dobbin all had to come off the park with serious injuries. The game was fairly even throughout most of the half as the play remained even between the two teams who exchanged chances. United 16year old players Graeme Webber and Wyatt Seddon-Johnstone were forced into an early baptism to premier division league action and the youngsters gave a great account of themselves throughout the game. Sporting took the lead at the 30minute when former United player Ryan Dormer was left unmarked and he slotted home from eight yards. United brought Todd Stauber on at the start of the second half and he took charge of the game dominating the midfield and dictating the pattern of play. He linked well on a number of occasions with Darren Villars but they were denied on two occasions by the home side’s keeper. Finally, after some constant pressure United deservedly tied up the game and it was not surprisingly Stauber’s through ball that sent Villars breaking down the right before firing over a great cross that was met by a flying diving header from Sean Crocker that rocketed into the net. With the game seemingly destined for a tie Sporting broke the deadlock in the 89th minute with a powerful left foot strike that flew into the top corner of the net to deal a crushing blow to the young team that finished the game with 5 teenagers on the park and who had all battled so valiantly. The bad news is obviously that we lost the game and three more senior players but do not let that overshadow the bright future United has with all the quality teenagers coming through the ranks to challenge for premier team spots.

In Division Two men’s action on Sunday at Cloverdale Athletic Park United emerged with a tie against joint division leaders Croatia in a game that produced six goals, some fierce competition and a red card for the visitors as tempers flared on both teams. United opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute when Nick Gollogly’s wicked curling free-kick completely deceived the opposing keeper. However, the visitors tied up the game five minutes later cashing in on some defensive indecision to complete the first half scoring. In the second frame, both teams scored two goals each in a frantic nine minute spell. Firstly, United took the lead in the 62nd minute when Trevor Tagieff stripped the defender of the ball in his own penalty area and slotted the ball past the bewildered keeper. Two minutes later Croatia were back on level terms before United regained the lead at the 67 minute when dale Kahri slotted home a penalty shot which was awarded after Martin Kelly had been brought down in the area. However, once again two minutes later Croatia tied up the scoreline at 3-3. As the game started to get physical Croatia ‘s defender received a red card but despite the one man advantage United were unable to turn their long periods of possession into any further goals.

The masters team extended their win streak to eight games with another solid performance winning 2-0 at home to Surrey Sundowners. Ron Ritchie got the game winner in the first half with a mazy run and a powerful strike from twenty yards. Striker Murray Howes added the insurance marker in the second half with a fine individual run that ended with him rounding the keeper to tuck the ball calmly into the open net.

In ladies division one action United suffered their second successive loss this time at home to high flying Duke’s Shooters. The visitors boosted by some recent college signings enjoyed most of the early play and opened the scoring after twenty minutes when United’s defence was caught out by the speed of the Chilliwack forward who broke through to fire past United keeper Kim Bull. Chilliwack added a second ten minutes later to increase their lead but United reduced the deficit in the 37th minute when a square ball from Ellen Malterer found Nicole Gertsen who split the visitors’ back-line with a delightful pass to Kim Ashford. Kim outpaced the rest of the defence to beat the keeper with a low strike into the corner of the net. The goal injected some hope into the home side but any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were quickly dispelled four minutes into the restart when Chilliwack scored what proved to be the insurance marker. Although, United battled hard to the end the experienced Chilliwack team were able to deny them any further goals.

In Ladies Premier action United registered a comfortable 2-0 away victory against Poco. Surrey who had played an exhibition game against the provincial Under 19 squad the previous day enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the game but found the nine women defensive wall thrown up by Poco difficult to breakdown. However, midway through the first half a great run down the right by Sharon Lehnert ended up with Martina Holan tapping home Sharon’s low cross. The same two players hooked up for United’s second goal in the second half although on this occasion Martina hammered a vicious twenty yard drive. Throughout the game United’s defence held the opposing strikers in check with Sadie McLure and Toby McDonald producing solid defensive performances to deny the home side any worthwhile shooting opportunities. Martina’s two goal performance which brings her tally to eight for her last four games earns her 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.