This week in the men's league, front running Xenichen Wolves and the IGA Selects met at Ted Dixon to duke it out for first place. The game had lots of missed chances as substitute keeper Glen Cody stopped two penalty shots, and Eric Pinfold hit three crossbars. By the final whistle Wolves pulled out a 4-2 win, with Rick Timothy scoring two, and singles coming from Junior Dixon and AJ Dixon, who nailed the left short side with a precision shot. The Selects strikes came from Pinfold and defender Chris Motluck who pushed up-field from the defensive line to score. The game was uncommonly orderly for a men's match, as level three referee Melissa Di Pietro was out there laying down the 17 laws and teaching the boys a little respect.Gibsons Pigs filled the Pender Harbour Bananas onion bag, in their 5-1 win. Pigs goals came from Jamie Klackey, a penalty shot hit by Ken Campbell, Brad Pedersen's header, Brian McAllister, who hit one on the run from his winger's position, and Eoin Ross, with some sassy footwork on his way to the net. Penders' goal was struck by Richard Massullo.
A 10-man Coast Progressive United squad managed a 2-0 upset over Halfmoon Bay Sea Kayaks, that was suffering from the too-many-subs syndrome. Sean Baines and Jeff Wadge were solid on the backline and let go long strikes to test new CPU keeper Pat Braithwaite. Mike Cowie and Peter Williams also played a nice passing game in the midfield. CPU played their orange hearts out and defenders James Marshall and Jim Hart fought like valiant Fenians of old, as did Steve 'Papi' Oka. Goals came late in the game from Sean Cullen and Ted Chisholm, after wing line runs by Alexander Lamb and Martin Blackwell, who was huge in the midfield.
In the women's league, top seeded Xenichen Ya Yas were back firing on all six cylinders this week in their 6-0 win over the Coast Progressive Blazers. The Ya Yas scoring machine strikers were Marlys Josephsen, Mary Joseph, Miranda Joe, Elvina Paul and Christina Joe. The game had lots of back and forth action despite the score, and Blazers got good games from Laura Brackett, Beckie Cavalier and Avril Nemeth.
CALs Crushers had a 1-0 victory over their second place rivals LJ Contracting Fusion. CALs peppered the Fusion net, but Monique Burnabe was a stone wall until late in the game when Laura Nickerson ran up the middle to score. Fusion defenders Stephanie Grindon, Shelley Patrick and Wyn Louis skillfully played the balls back up the field, only to have Grace Bland, Sara Schutz and Amy Campbell relentlessly run them up again.
Don't forget the soccer dance on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Gibsons Legion. Also, a wedding ring was lost at Hackett Park two weeks ago. If found, please contact Michele Mocellin at 604-885-5185.
