Sunshine Coast United FC finished off 2014 with a huge win over the Richmond Select on Dec. 13.
Both teams came out strong, with United playing a strong offensive game.
Playing end-to-end, and keeping the pressure on, United’s forward line of Brett Bjornson and Sierra Ryden sent a nice short pass to Alex Hart, who fired one home for a 1-0 lead.
Just a short time later, United had another great chance from Bjornson.
With Richmond taking the ball down the other end of the field, Kai Maniwa Brodie made a strong defensive play, allowing Cameron Wentzell to make a beautiful save.
Richmond kept the pressure on and kept United on its toes, and with some quick passing, tied up the game.
The second half started off strong for both teams.
After a few close chances, Lucca Chalmers finally cracked the onion bag for a 2-1 United lead.
Lucca appeared to make it 3-1 minutes later, but the goal was called off-side.
Owen Watson had a standout game on defence, while Julian Woodin and Kai were equally strong on the back line. Tayio Blackwell, Diego Bajger, Lucca and Colby Elson all played their best games to date.
Cameron, who has played amazingly all season in goal, had his best game yet, with some stellar saves, at one point taking a hard shot off the chest and then making the save of the game.
U16 boys
Despite once again competing while short players, the Scorpions pulled off a huge victory against Caulfield DaSilva on Dec. 13.
Scorpions were concerned on the way to North Burnaby when they realized that two players that were expected had not made the ferry and only 10 players were going to arrive at the field on time. However, they took the field determined to do their best — and they did.
Despite an injury suffered early in the game, forward Jordan Kammerle scored two goals. The team was shored up when veteran defender Philip Fogarty showed up toward the end of the half and the assault on the DaSilvas continued. When Duncan Armstrong was taken down in front of the DaSilva net, Everett August put in a penalty shot for a 3-0 lead.
Keeran Peel was strong in the Scorpions net while Liam Rankin, Jake Simkins, and Evan Griffin kept many shots from getting to him and fed the ball up to Xavier Benjamin and Everett who carried it on to Finn Rogers, Bryce Pierre, Duncan, and Jordan.
In the second half, Everett scored off a corner kick from Duncan and to finish off the game in good measure, Xavier and Duncan scored a goal each in the resounding 6-1 win.
The Scorpions are back on the pitch on Jan. 10 in a home game against the South Burnaby Timbers set for 11:30 a.m. at Kinnikinnick.
U15 boys
The Thunderbirds faced back-to-back games on the Dec. 13 weekend and came out big winners in both.
On Saturday, Dec. 13 the T-Birds got off to a good start with a well-placed strike by Kai Hansen, only to have the visiting VAFC Rangers reply before the half.
The second half started with a fantastic goal, on curling shot from 20 yards by Casey Baines, before the guests again tied it up.
Comfortable on their home pitch, and with more subs, the Thunderbirds started to take control with speedy wingers Jamie Mundy and Julian Miles tiring defenders, while Simeon Campbell’s runs created space and chances.
Kai earned his second goal of the game with a sublime glancing header to delight of the crowd. With the visitors pushing hard for an equalizer, tireless midfielder Eliot Wadge got his due when he crashed the net to ice the 4-2 win and regain a share of second place.
On Dec. 14 in West Van, the Thunderbirds faced the WV Spuraways in the North Shore Provincial B Cup qualification.
The Thunderbirds dominated from start to finish, with Noah Woodin getting the party started with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
Henry Larsen’s determination to get to the ball first and drive into the area paid off when he was bundled over for a penalty, which Kai expertly converted. Enjoying their football, Noah next played back a perfect ball for Cole Schutz who smashed it top corner, before Casey finished the half with a driving run beating the keeper at the near post to go up 4-0.
West Van came out swinging in the second half, but keeper Isaac Oka was unbeatable on the day, backing up the stellar defending by Jake Richmond-Benner, Quin Huibers, Angelo Pinsonnault, Nicholas Davis, Coulter Prestage and Sean Pletz. Casey rushed the net to slot home his second before Will Magnussen barged through the defence to cap off the 6-0 victory. The win books the Thunderbirds into an intriguing next round matchup against the NV Torrent, with the teams currently tied for second spot in the league standings.
