The weather claimed most of the games this past weekend with the exception of the mens premier team and the ladies Under 21 who somewhat ironically, played their respective games at Ambleside turf in West Vancouver.

In men’s premier action division “B” leaders Surrey United visited West Van Trollers for their first league game in almost eight weeks and their anticipated rustiness was clearly evident throughout the game. However, there was nothing rusty about the opening goal of the game when Trollers took the lead on a magnificent strike by Justin Thompson who hammered a rising shot from twenty yards into the top corner of the net giving United goalkeeper Drew Smiley no chance with the shot. United battled back and diminutive midfielder Rob Wilson came close to leveling the scores but his powerful low shot brushed the outside of the post. With the play fairly even throughout the half United had to wait until the 44th minute to score when a superb 30yard free-kick by United midfield ace Todd Stauber rattled the cross-bar and the ball rebounded to 18 year old Justin Carvery who fired home his first premier division goal on his VMSL premier debut. The timing of the goal seemed to deflate the West Van players and after an even first half Surrey dominated the second half proceedings but Sean Crocker, Dave Hleucka and Todd Stauber all had shots well saved. West Van might have scored themselves when midfielder Steve Lake’s free-kick whistled past the post but Surrey once again saved the dramatics for the last minute of the half when Rob Wilson pounced on a loose ball and hammered into the net after West van failed to clear Stauber’s corner-kick.

On the women’s under 21 front, United opened the game strongly and created a couple of early clear cut chances but poor finishing kept the score-sheet blank until the 7th minute when they took an early one-goal lead through forward Lexi Iggulden who rose above the defenders to head the ball into the net from a long free kick taken by Nicole Stewart.

However, some sloppy play allowed Norvan to even the score ten minutes later when a weak shot found its way into the net. The match flickered back and forth with both sides looking a little rusty. The United ladies who normal maintain strong ball control and follow a predetermined game plan where unable to sustain any ball possession and this produced some scrappy play which transmitted into poor finishing as they squandered a number of opportunities. Finally, in the 26th minute, United regained the lead when Angelica Singh’s free kick from just outside the 18-yard box deceived the home team’s keeper and the ball flew into the net for what would ultimately become the winning goal. Surrey’s leading goal scorer Ally Pross added an insurance goal at the 32nd minute mark with assists going to Jackie Hansen and Moyra Betuzzi. In the second half United ‘s level of play improved substantially as they played some eye-catching soccer but unfortunately a combination of some fine goalkeeping and a couple of near misses prevented them from increasing their lead until the 87th minute when Stewart’s long range free-kick flew into the net to finish off the game scoring and leave United as comfortable winners by a 4-1 margin.

After a long lay off the second half allowed United to regain their normal timing and controlled play and the win increases their lead at the top of the table. The three stars were Angelica Singh, Nicky Carchesio for her defensive dominance and Erin Johnston for her hard work in midfield. Special acknowledgement goes out to Jackie Hanson and Courtenay Duncan who both made strong contributions throughout the match after both ladies were called up from the U18 Surrey United Gold-Selects.

Whilst there were just the two games this weekend we selected Rob Wilson as this week’s Player of The Week for getting the all important game winner for the men’s premier team in injury time. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered into a random draw for the monthly prize of for Dinner for Two.