Mens PREMIER

Surrey United extended their unbeaten streak to nine games with a narrow 2-1 victory over Columbus on Saturday at Cloverdale Athletic Park to retain their top spot in the VMSL premier standings. The game was a hard fought battle with goal mouth chances at a premium. Surrey came closest to scoring in the first half when Angus Burke tried to flick home a Rizal Ganief cross at the near post but injured himself in the process colliding with Tony Gaita who made a brave goal saving tackle in the six yard box. The game was scoreless after the first half where both teams’ defence enjoyed the upper hand over the forwards. The deadlock was finally broken at the sixty minute mark when 17 year old Gagan Josan stripped the ball from the Columbus right back in the top left corner of the field and then fired over a perfect low cross which United midfielder Jeff Clarke smashed into the back of the net from close range. Columbus responded well and ten minutes later grabbed the equalizer when Tiernan King slipped past the United rearguard and fired a low shot into the corner of the net. Both teams had chances to snatch the winner but it was Surrey who seized the initiative when a long ball into the penalty area was gathered by Clarke and as he lay on the ground he hooked the ball into the middle of the six yard box where Burke forced the ball into the net from two yards. United coach Niall Thompson came on for the final fifteen minutes and similar to last week caused the visitors defence some problems and had a couple of chances to grab the insurance marker but unlike the previous week he was unable to convert them into goals. Columbus almost made United pay for those lost opportunities but were denied in injury time by a great sprawling save from Drew Smiley. Steve McAuley and Brad Peetom were solid in defence for the Firefighters and Lucas Barrett, Josan and Clarke all made significant contributions in midfield for the home team.

Mens CAT “A” DIVISION

No game report received.

Mens CAT “B” DIVISION

No Scheduled Game.

Mens MASTERS

No Scheduled Game.

Ladies PREMIER

United’s premier Ladies who looked in great form on Thursday evening beating the Whitecaps 1-0 in exhibition play followed up with a sub-standard performance on Sunday where they tied Burnaby Canadians in regulation time and then won the round robin tie-breaker penalty shoot-out. From a defensive perspective United rarely looked troubled and goalkeeper Theresa Nuttall only had one save to make to preserve the shut-out when she turned away a well struck low shot late in the second half. However, while enjoying a territorial edge Surrey struggled to turn that advantage into goal-scoring opportunities and although the Burnaby keeper was much the busier most of her saves seemed to be fairly routine as United lacked the finish. Kailen Kyle making her United debut worked hard in midfield and Ari Adams was once again prominent in defence.

Ladies DIVISION ONE

United won their second round tie in a four team league Cup playoff by beating Vancouver Jaguars 3-o at Cloverdale on Sunday. Surrey were familiar with their opponents whom they have already met twice in league play a team we are familiar with through regular league play. United were approaching the game with a new look formation to try and address the recent drought of goals and after twenty minutes of play it paid a quick dividend when United opened the scoring. The goal came as a result of a great three way passing play initiated by midfielder Kaitlyn Rowbotham whose through ball found striker Kara Santerre. She spotted unmarked fellow striker Sam Pither just outside Vancouver's 18 yard box and hit a high cross to Pither’s feet who one timed a powerful volley into the back of Vancouver's net.  United followed up this effort with another goal ten minutes later when again Santerre stripped the ball from a Vancouver defender and crossed the ball this time for midfielder Leah Coffin, who drove a howitzer like shot into the top corner of the goal. In the second half Surrey relaxed their grip on the game allowing Vancouver Jaguars to gain some momentum but fortunately for United  some strong goal keeping by Brittany Galeslook turned away any and all threats by Vancouver Jaguar’s strikers.  With about fifteen minutes of the game remaining United added a third goal with Santerre once again providing the assist as this time she sent the ball through to substitute Jessica Newman, whose first shot was only parried by the visiting keeper and Newman made no mistake slamming home the rebound.

Player of the Week

This week’s Player of the Week goes to Ladies Division One player Kara Santerre whose three assists helped keep her team alive in the cup competition.