The opening game of the new VMSL season featured two great rivals with Surrey United this time overpowering Metro-Ford 4-0 at Mundy Park on Friday night. Despite the Coquitlam monsoons the two teams combined for an entertaining affair with United dominating the first half proceedings but theu had to settle for only a one goal half-time lead thanks to Niall Thompson’s opening goal at the 25th minute when he tucked home a Clayton Dobbin cross. Despite a lot of pressure and possession United had to wait until the 55th minute when they took a stranglehold on the game by increasing their lead thanks to Thompson’s precise pass which allowed Dave Hleuka to slot the ball home from fifteen yards. Any chance Metro-Ford might have thought they had of staging a comeback was quickly dispelled when in the 70th minute United keeper Drew Smiley made a point black save to deny the home side. Surrey countered almost immediately and again it was Thompson providing the opportunity when his brilliant long ball down the right found Sean Crocker racing and he gloriously chipped the ball over the Metro-Ford keeper from thirty yards. Ten minutes from time United added a fourth when Hleucka’s pass set up Shawn Blakeway who rounded out affine game by firing a low shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

The following day the same two clubs went back to the same field for a division one game that saw Surrey United complete the away double with a 2-1 victory. United started brightly and deservedly took the lead after fifteen minutes when a great cut-back by left winger Les Antone was met by a first time drive by midfielder Ezra Fenwick who hammered a low shot into the corner of the net. Ten minutes later Fenwick returned the compliment sending a ball into the path of Les Antone who rifled a shot past the keeper from close range. With a few injuries and some sickness United were forced to make a number of changes for the second half. After dominating the first half United suddenly found themselves forced back onto the defensive but thankfully the good leadership and experience of first teamer Jackson Reeve in organizing the defence limited the home side to a few scoring opportunities. However, Metro-Ford did score on one of their opportunities in the 75th minute which provided a hectic finish for the very young United squad. United keeper Taylor Weakes saved the day and the points with two outstanding saves in the dying moments of the game.

On Sunday the division two mens team entertained Elephant Walk Soccerroos at Cloverdale in a game that could have gone either way if one team or the other had finished off their chances. In a highly entertaining game United started well but after hitting a post and a cross-bar it was the visitors who opened the scoring at the ten minute mark. However, United bounced back and ten minutes later a great right wing cross by Jordan Gibbs was met by an equally good header by striker Chris Roots who directed his header into the corner of the net. With action literally going from end to end chances were squandered by both teams and then late in the half the Soccerroos missed the best opportunity to regain the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick but missed the target. In the second half United were awarded a penalty kick but also failed to convert. United definitely had the better opportunities and both Martin Kelly and Chris Roots both failed to score when they only had the keeper to beat. At the other end United keeper Ringo Erickson made two great saves to prevent the visitors from scoring and then with the game seemingly destined for a draw United were awarded a penalty kick deep into injury time after a Soccerroo had handled the ball on the goal-line. Still the drama mounted because Chris Roots hit the net with his shot but was forced to retake as the referee had not blown his whistle for the original kick to be taken. Roots made no mistake and fired home the winner of the keeper’s arm and the post to steal all three points. There was no time left for the restart as the referee blew the final whistle.

Player of the Week Niall Thompson VMSL Premier MWSL Premier Vanessa Martino prepares to make a pass during the opening game of the Metro Women's Soccer League premier A season Sunday in Cloverdale. Sara Maglio scored two goals and set up a third as the defending B.C. champs rolled to a 5-0 win. PHOTO/Brian Howell

With the Under 21 game postponed due to field conditions it was left to the Masters team to complete the perfect start for the men but alas the defending provincial champions surprisingly stunk up the joint by drawing the usually lowly Sapperton team 1-1. Apparently, the game could have gone either way but a timely equalizer by Murray Howes earned the masters a point.

On the ladies side we welcomed the team debut of brand new Ladies Under 21 team and they did not disappoint winning their away game against BGSEU Extreme 7-0. The goalscoring was led by Lexi Igulden who potted a hat-trick of first half headers as United built up an impressive half time lead of 4-0 with Ally Pross getting the other first half marker. Ally then added her second and the team’s fifth early in the second half. The games other goals came from defender Coco Stewart who also had three helpers and the final goal of the game came from Erin Johnston. Kendra Klemke recorded the shut-out.

The womens premier team who are of course the defending provincial champions enjoyed a satisfactory start winning at home 5-0 against Westside. Sara Maglio opened the scoring at the twenty minute mark firing home a rebound from fifteen yards after the Westside keeper beat out a stinging drive from United’s Randee Hermus. Sharon Lehnert added United’s second ten minutes later on a nifty set-up by Megan Blaker. In the second half United poured on the pressure and the style with some precision possession play. Sharon lehnert added her second of the game and Sara Maglio added two more goals with two powerful shots to complete her hat-trick.

The ladies division one team came out on the wrong end of a shoot-out going down to Shamrock Rovers in Vancouver by a margin of 5-2. In a game where chances were in abundance at both ends the home team slotted home most of theirs while United squandered most of theirs except for Ellen Malterer who potted both United’s goals in the losing cause.

Niall Thompson of the Mens premier team who scored one goal and set-up two has been selected as this week’s player of the week. Each Weekly Winner will have their name entered into a random draw for the month prize of for Dinner for Two.