Mens PREMIER

This top of the table clash between the top two teams in the league: Surrey United Firefighters and the defending champions West Vancouver FC and was played in front of a large crowd at Cloverdale Athletic Park on Saturday. At the end of the 90 minutes of exciting action, United emerged with a hard-fought victory, their 6th consecutive positive result and, as a result, took sole possession of first place. The former Trollers got off to a great start and generated several gilt-edged chances in the first 20 minutes, only to be repeatedly thwarted by Drew Smiley, Surrey United’s veteran goalkeeper. Notably, Smiley made point-blank saves on shots by Alan McIndoe, Justin Thompson, and Paul Dailly. Veteran Mike Dodd also came very close to scoring for the league leaders but inexplicably missed the wide open net from close range. The Firefighters, after absorbing West Vancouver’s initial pressure, responded positively and used their youth and pace to effectively stretch the visitors’ backline and dominate the remainder of the first half. Not surprisingly, at about the 35th minute mark, Surrey United took the lead on a goal by Angus Burke as he was set up by defender, Brad Petoom. The second half was more or less a carbon copy of the first as West Van applied a lot of early pressure, but the Firefighters stormed back near the end. At the 65th minute mark, Omari Aldridge knotted the score as he converted a Corey Birza set-up for West Van’s only goal of the match. Shortly thereafter, Surrey United scored the winning goal on a counter-attack as substitute Lucas Barrett sent Rizal Ganief flying down the right flank with a great through ball. Ganief’s powerful shot was too hot for West Vancouver goalkeeper Marco Durante and, much to the chagrin of the entire West Van clan, ended up in the back of the net. The visitors pressed hard for the equalizer and came close to knotting the score but United stood firm and held on for the victory.

Mens CAT “A” DIVISION

No game report received.

Mens CAT “B” DIVISION

Surrey United’s CAT “B” played away vs. the Green Devils “B” on Sunday, Jan. 17, in a game featuring the top two teams in CAT”B”. Starting the game with a depleted line-up, the United team looked a little uncertain of themselves and the experienced Green Devils took full advantage when they struck after only two minutes to score the opening goal of the game.  This seemed to wake-up the young Surrey team, and they forced Green Devil’s keeper into making two fine saves from close range. After enjoying a fine spell of possession and pressure United leveled the scores at the 18 minute mark.  Striker Kody Bell broke down the right side and then measured a perfect cross field pass for Liam McKinnon who rifled a perfect strike to the bottom left corner.  After 39 minutes Surrey United seized the lead when defender Josh Chapman found Krisztian Turcsanyi open 18 yards out and he promptly dispatched a howitzer beyond the of reach the Green Devil keeper and into the back of the net. Somehow, complacency took over and United let the Green Devils claw their way back into the game with goals at the 60th minute and the 66th minute. United’s frustration spilled over and at this stage they ran into some card trouble that left them short-handed for the balance of the game which made the task of finding an equalizer hard.

Mens MASTERS

No game report received.

Ladies PREMIER

No scheduled game

Ladies DIVISION ONE

In Sunday's match both sides were showing signs of not playing a completive game for a long time. Surrey United dominated the match for the most part allowing only half a dozen quality shots on goal that were all comfortably handled by keeper Brittany Galeslook, who recorded another shutout performance. The first half produced a number of strikes by United’s front line players that tested the Vancouver's Jaguars keeper but without any positive results. However, the continuous pressure finally resulted in the first goal of the match at the 25 minute mark. United won a corner-kick which was taken by Jessica Harkison whose well struck kick was only partially cleared by the Vancouver defence and Sandra Abe pounced on the loose ball to fire it home. The remainder of the first half play didn't result in any further scoring by either side, with Surrey missing more than their share of opportunities to put the game out of reach. In the second half Surrey United continued its dominance of the match forcing Vancouver Jaguars into a defensive role deep in their own end of the pitch for the most part of the second frame. United ladies continued to create a number of chances with some fine football but their finishing was lacking and too often the final shot was either was at the keeper, hit the woodwork or missed the target. However, at the mid-point of the second half United got the insurance marker which came after Sam Pither’s corner-kick rebounded to her and she fired a, shot at the goal which was deflected into the net by one of the opposing defenders. In the 70th minute second half substitute Jessica Newman, broke through Vancouver's defensive line, following a great feed from Claire McKinnon, and was brought down in the penalty area. However, Harkisson fired the penalty shot over the cross-bar denying United the opportunity to increase their margin of victory.

Player of the Week

This week’s Player of the Week goes to Mens Premier keeper Drew Smiley who produced three outstanding saves to help secure a victory against West Vancouver and move United back to the top of the table.

(Richard Howes Photo)