Mens PREMIER

Surrey United Firefighters became the last surviving representative of the VMSL as they advanced to the final of the Provincial Cup by beating Columbus 1-0 in a tight game at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam on Saturday. In a game basically of two halves, Columbus certainly edged the play in the first frame and if not for two great saves by the United keeper Drew Smiley, one a minute before the interval, Columbus would have taken a deserved lead. However, as so often is this case, Surrey obviously inspired by Smiley's play, rebounded strongly in the second half and the speed and fitness of their forwards started to come to the forefront. In the 47th minute Angus Burke's right wing cross found Lucas Barrett whose twenty yard drive just missed the target. Then fifteen minutes later substitute Jeff Clarke played a good give and go with Joseph Martin and as the former Whitecaps skipper closed in on goal his seemingly well placed goal-bound shot was somehow saved by the outstretched foot of Columbus keeper Thomas Lindley. However, two minutes later the Firefighters finally broke the deadlock when they were awarded a free-kick some twenty five yards from goal. United Striker Rizal Ganief hammered a superb low drive past the defensive wall and into the far corner of the net. Surrey grew in confidence and maintained their constant pressure and might have added a second when on a quick break young substitute Gagan Josan fired a great chance just over the cross-bar. Columbus battled hard and indeed pressed hard in the last five minutes of play but in truth they were unable to muster any clear cut chances against a very solid looking Surrey defence where veterans Steve McAuley and Jeff Skinner enjoyed particularly strong performances as did goalkeeper Drew Smiley who recorded the shut-out. 

Mens CAT “A” DIVISION

Season complete.

Mens CAT “B” DIVISION

Season complete.

Mens MASTERS

Season complete

Ladies PREMIER

The six time defending Provincial champions Surrey United started strongly against Burnaby Canadians in their provincial cup semi-final in their provincial cup semi-final game at Cloverdale on Sunday and in the first five minutes came close on two occasions with Natalie Halcro just lifting her shot over the cross-bar and then Katie Thorlakson shot wide after Burnaby failed to clear a Kim McMullen free-kick. After enjoying a lot of early dominance United deservedly took the lead in the eighteenth minute when Randee Hermus forced home a brilliant Kate Qually corner-kick. United piled on the pressure and the strong running power of Thorlakson was causing all sorts of problems for the Burnaby defence and the United striker was desperately unlucky not to increase Surrey’s lead when twice in the space of eight minutes she hit the cross-bar with great efforts. Then in the 39th minute, United came close once again when another McMullen free kick which was headed down by Randee Hermus at the back post for Thorlakson whose diving header flashed inches wide of the target. In the second half Surrey dominated most of the play and five minutes after the re-start Hermus fired another shot just over the cross-bar. Burnaby for sure battled hard but they were unable to penetrate the Surrey rearguard a where Ari Adams had a particularly strong game and was closely followed by performances from Qually, McMullen and Rachel Pelat. Surrey never did require an insurance marker as they advanced to the final with a 1-0 victory; a score-line which frankly flattered the opposition

Ladies DIVISION ONE

Season complete.

Player of the Week

This week’s Player of the Week goes to striker Katie Thorlakson  of the Womens Premier team for her outstanding attacking display and tireless work enabled her team to advance to their seventh consecutive  Provincial Cup final.