Sunshine Coast United FC had a stellar game on Saturday, Jan. 24, picking up a 4-2 win over the Burnaby Spartans at the Riverway Sports Complex.
Earning their second straight win in Vancouver, United took an early 1-0 lead when Owen Watson took a corner kick, which Alex Hart was able to pass to Brett Bjornson, beating the Spartans’ goalie.
The Spartans came back with a low shot that snuck past United’s goalie Sierra Ryden to tie the game 1-1.
It was a strong first half for United, and Owen had an excellent game.
With a free kick from outside the 18-yard box ringing off the post, then another one of his killer corner kicks sailing overhead and off a Spartans shoulder, United was allowed to take a 2-1 lead.
The second half started with another great scoring chance from Owen, which just skimmed the net and out.
It was Alex who took it to a 3-1 lead with a great shot from about 20 yards out.
The Spartans fought back a short time later making it 3-2.
Taiyo Blackwell had a breakaway and was able beat the keeper with a hard low shot, giving United a 4-2 lead. The rest of the team fought hard to maintain the lead.
Julian Woodin did an incredible job on defence, shutting down his man and keeping the game entertaining. The rest of the back line of Kai Maniwa Brodie and Alex kept the Spartans busy, and the front line of Colby Elson, Brett Bjornson and Callum Christiansen played hard and all had a great game. Sierra played amazingly for his first time this season in net.
United’s next game is this Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. at Piccadilly field.
U15 boys
The Thunderbirds made another trip to West Van Spuraways last Saturday, their fourth of the season, due to draws in two cup competitions and a quirk in the schedule.
Having won all four previous matches, including a 7-2 result in the lone home match, the Thunderbirds coaches stressed the importance of not getting complacent. Indeed they could not, as West Van came out strong looking like a different team intent on a measure of revenge.
The teams battled to a very tight 0-0 draw at the half with the home team lucky to still have 11 on the pitch as Casey Baines was taken down from behind after breaking past the last defender, and the visitors lucky to be even after Quin Huibers, having a massive game, saved a sure goal by heading it over the bar.
The second half was more of the same frantic and physical action with neither team able to maintain sustained possession.
With about 20 minutes to go, Cole Schutz pounced on a misplayed ball from the keeper, found a yard of space, and slotted it into the bottom left corner from 25 yards.
The Spuraways pushed hard, but keeper Isaac Oka held the fort, including one especially impressive looking aerial save with moments to go.
The 1-0 victory gives the Thunderbirds sole possession of second place, with the first place team over 20 points ahead in an otherwise very tight race.
The Thunderbirds have two home matches at Kinnikinnick this weekend, facing KLM Milan at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and then NV Torrent in Cup play Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
