It was a great sunny day this week for soccer, and the sun finally set on the Selects empire as Gibsons Pigs pounded them 5-1.
The Selects didn't finish their chances, and Pigs' replacement keeper Dave Strom stepped up to admirably fill Steve Christian's size 11s. Gibsons got another hat trick from Ken Campbell, Dave Nanson stuck his head in again this week for one after a knock-on header from Darryl Germaine. Aaron Morrissey also scored.
The Selects' goal came from Eric Pinfold. The Selects seemed to fall on their sword earlier in the week at their Thursday night practice when they injured three of their own, who ended the evening with a broken nose, a concussion and a broken toe. Halfmoon Bay made the big drive out to Pender this week and brought back a 2-1 loss for their troubles.
HMB was up 1-0 at the half after Greg Korlikowski hit his penalty shot. HMB keeper Kevin McKenzie protected the lead, saving a penalty shot by diving to the right side and deflecting the shot off the field with his fingertips. The Bananas got scoring from striker Richard Massullo, who was ripe for another goal, and Kevin Kricht, who peeled off a nice shot from inside the 18.
Gibsons United beat a nine-man Wolves squad 5-2. For some reason the Wolves, tournament champs for the last four years, were unable to field a full squad, but did manage to hold United at 2-2 until the second half.
Sean Whalen had another scoring melee with four goals, while the single came from Pat Taylor.
Wolves' goals both came from veteran striker Kevin August.
As a correction, Gibsons United midfielder Neville Judd put away two in their last game. Being from England though, you'd think he'd at least manage a hat trick.
CPU got eight goals against the Chiefs this week, but the Chiefs new keeper still made some great saves. CPU goals came in pairs from Martin Blackwell and David Rogers, with singles from Kurt Vernon, Hume Tagahashi, John Law and Sean Cullen. The Chiefs have shown great sportsmanship these last two seasons, playing many games undermanned. Ben Pierre is back in the lineup this year, and in the last minutes he turned quickly and cracked a boomer, forcing Terry Lavery to make a big save. Sechelt Chiefs are looking for new members. Those interested should call Dexter Craigan at 604-740-8819.
In women's action, Xenichen Ya Yas played last year's league champs Gibsons Blacks in their toughest match of the season so far.They came out of it with another victory, winning 2-1.
Ya Yas have only wins so far this season, and it seems the only way they won't post points in a week is when they get the bye.
Ya Yas' shooter Christine Joe got one, while Ya Yas other goal came from Sara McGeechie, who last scored nine years ago. She made up for her drought as she one-timed a ball on the run to send it over the Blacks' keeper and into the top corner. Blacks goal came on a pass from Summer Hay to Kasha Stewart, who tapped it once then blasted it into the back of the net.
Fusion scored five against Welcome Woods Wild this week at Kinnikinnick's newly-developed pitch.
The Wild's Anne Miles earned her name this week as she relentlessly charged up and down the wing. Wild's keeper Jen Van Every also played another stellar game. Fusion's pressure was constant though, as they hit a couple of posts, followed by a pair from Amy Robinson. Singles came from Melissa Braithwaite, who sniped the inside of the post from 20 yards out, Sam Mills and Leslee Cooper.
Blazers struck three against the Pigs this week, as Christine Campbell got a couple and Pam Bunbury got the other. The fast subbing Pigs kept the Blazers on the back of their heels, and Blazers got big games from new players Jessica Tilly and Jackie Moran. Keeper Sara Sinclair, fresh out of high school, posted her first shutout.
The Pigs got another supreme effort in the midfield from the indomitable Jinny Blatter, with her endless playmaking, running and checking. This week, the Crushers had the bye. There won't be any games this weekend due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
