| Surrey United progressed
to the semi-final of the Mens Open Provincial Cup with a tight 1-0
victory over a gritty and gallant Chilliwack team on Sunday at Cloverdale
Athletic Park. Once again United were stretched to the limits in
terms of their roster but got great contributions from second half
substitutes Niall Thompson and Todd Stauber who were both returning
from injured absences. The first half can be best forgotten except
for one glorious set-play corner-kick that saw Gareth Wilkshire’s
powerful goal-bound shot cleared off the line by a defender with
the keeper beaten. Chilliwack worked tirelessly and battled hard
but in the second half the introduction of the experienced Thompson
and Stauber proved invaluable for Surrey and paid dividends in the
60th minute when their neat interchange play saw Stauber send Shawn
Blakeway racing clear and his powerful left foot shot from twelve
yards opened the scoring giving United the vital breakthrough. United
continued to apply pressure and created several chances with Wilkshire
once again having his shot once again blocked on the goal-line by
the defender with the keeper down and out on the play. Thompson
had three self created chances and was unlucky to see all three
efforts narrowly miss the target. Chilliwack were restricted to
a limited number of scoring chances throughout the game with their
best one perhaps coming in the last five minutes off a header that
produced a great save from Drew Smiley to preserve the shut-out
and the victory.
The Masters team also advanced to the semi finals of the provincial
cup with a convincing 4-2 win over league rivals, Peach Arch United.
United opened the scoring at the 8 minute mark when veteran, veteran
Steve Reed rambled up the park, from his centre-back position, and
found striker Murray Howes with a superb pass. Howes’ left
foot blast from about 20 yards was too hot for the keeper to hold
onto and fellow striker Daryl Holmes following up diligently hammered
home the rebound. Four minutes later, United added a second goal
when a long through ball from Alan Massender was met by the head
of a Peace Arch defender who inadvertently headed the ball over
his own keeper and into the net. Peach Arch rebounded strongly and
might have reduced the deficit in the fourteenth minute but were
thwarted by a spectacular diving save by United keeper Angelo Bonato.
Surrey went 3-0 up after twenty minutes when after stringing together
4-5 quick and direct passes together saw Mike Marini fire over a
perfect low hard cross to the far post for Kelly Bey to tap home
from close range. Peach Arch pulled a goal back before the end of
the half which ended with Surrey United leading 3-1. The second
half while not a nail biter was uncomfortable for Surrey as Peace
Arch worked tirelessly to drag themselves back into the game but
couldn’t convert their territorial advantage into goals. Then
midway through the half United increased their lead with a classic
Murray Howes header from a well taken corner kick from Spiro Pegios.
Peach Arch managed a late, late consolation goal deep into injury
time to make the final score 4-2.
The Ladies premier faced perennial rivals UBC in the provincial
cup semi-final at Cloverdale Athletic Park on Sunday and similar
to last year’s final Surrey once again emerged as the winners
with a very solid and determined performance to register a 2-0 victory
and earn once again a place in the finals.
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United started strongly and enjoyed the better of the early exchanges
but we had to wait until the thirtieth minute for the game’s
first goal. Martina Holan-Franko out-jumped the UBC defence to head
down Bianca Wilkinson’s cross for Andrea Sumner to smash the
ball home from close range. The goal only increased the ladies determination
and commitment and their defence were the dominating the visitors’
forwards. In the second half United came close to increasing their
leaded but two shots were deflected wide for corners. The outcome
of the game was determined in the 80th minute when UBC were awarded
a free-kick some twenty five yards out. From the resulting shot
United keeper did well to save the swerving dipping shot on the
goal line. From the clearance United broke free and when the opposing
keeper, under fierce pressure from Holan-Franko misplayed the ball
at the edge of the penalty Holan-Franko seized the opportunity to
round the keeper and clip a shot into the open net. The United ladies
were very disciplined and focused and were determined to close out
the came which they did most effectively.
We selected Andrea Sumner of the Ladies’s premier team as
this week’s Player of the Week for her game winning goal and
outstanding midfield performance that enabled her team to progress
to the next round. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered
into a random draw for the monthly prize of for Dinner for Two. |
