Kickoff: 4pm Sunday, February 5, 2011 at Point Grey Turf (report by French Ben)
Revenge. that is what the Rinos needed today against the Westside FC B team…and they got it with a spectacular 3-0 win.
It could have been even better if the Westside FC B had managed to bring more than 12 players for what is usually a challenging derby. We’ll blame it on the fact that Westside has already won the CAT league and maybe doesn’t feel like wasting too much time and energy on the Rino’s before the beginning of the cup: a genuine thank you to the FC players who showed up today and showed us that we still matter.
They showed up with a young team led by a couple experienced players: speed and skills of course, but could it be enough to match determination and experience?
The first half started well for the Rino’s with quite a bit of pace, short passes, good runs, nice through balls and crosses followed by many good opportunities successively for Tim Pritchard, Yuda Shih, and Greg Crompton hoping to add another goal to his recent scoring streak.
Westside resisted well and even managed to become a little dangerous on two corner kicks, but the bar and later a super inspired flying Jeff Thom – saving a nice long range shot – managed to keep the score nil-nil until half time.
A very good half for the Rinos with special mentions to Corey who stepped up to the left full back tough task with brio (really well done without punching anyone…or being punched) and to Stefan who forced Westside to spare their only sub before the break with a virile – but still on the ball – tackle on their coach.
Having a good bench is key in many sports; it is the case with soccer too (having good supporters too: thanks for coming John, Brent and Andrew, nice to see you). Westside FC wasn`t prepared for a tough second half with some players already tired and frustrated by the impeccable Rinos’ defence line.
The Westside players were not ready either to meet again with Dave Hawkins, imperial as a central defender and as a Hanni-tormentor, or to welcome Greg Pears as a left fullback. Welcome Greg, amazing job on the left side.
Not ready either to see so many white-shirted players running their asses off to put pressure on their new defence line (hmmm? The goal keeper is now playing left fullback? Interesting?). Thanks to incessant hassling from Corby O’Genski, Adam Crowe, Shawn Wilhelm, Declan Hill, Ben Cougny…and Vinnie Martin (who always looks like he’s just stepped on the field), the Westside defenders could only watch from behind Declan sprinting to slide tackle a beautiful through pass under the belly of the goalkeeper. 1-0.
Speed. Something else that was actually more on the side of Rino’s today. After a couple more crosses, a few weak attempts from Westside FC
to recover, Adam decided to show everybody again what real speed is about. A great play coming from Greg Pears, left back, nice transition in the middle, then Adam delivered a rocket sprint concluded by a right foot missile in the top right corner. 2-0 after 20 minutes in the second half.
Everything became easier then. The Rino’s could have scored many more with a little bit of extra luck…or precision. Corby, Shawn….and Vinnie again came pretty close to punish the Westside FC for its lack of application. Very close. The third goal will come 10 minutes before the end of the game with a ball lost in the box by Westside’s central defender focusing on stopping Corby instead of focusing on Ben running in his back to steal the ball (stolen from Corby too?). Pointu as French people say (look this one up folks): 3-0.
The last 10 minutes could have brought more goals, but it became also a lot about holding and controlling the ball, showing the Westside FC that the upcoming cup games won’t be easy rides. We’ll be ready.
Good job everybody, great win. Special mention to all of us. Have a good week. BC