Rino’s U-21 team have known for months that they would have a spot in this year’s BC Soccer Provincial Cup tournament. The early acknowledgment came as a result of a diminished FVSL division which fielded only 4 teams for the 2012/13 season, opening up extra spots for the competitive VMSL teams. Meanwhile, the VMSL Div 2 Rino’s Fury find themselves in a totally contrasting situation. Having feasted upon a little too much Christmas Turkey, the team posted a poor 1-2 record in January and slipped from the top of the table into a 3-way tie for second, missing out on promotion to Division 1. That poor league form was followed up by a first round cup exit, and the boys were waxing their skis/snowboards ready to hit the slopes for what was left of the winter.
Those plans changed abruptly when the league informed Rino’s that they were to contest a single match playoff against arch-nemesis Dasmesh FC for a spot in the Keith Millar Provincial B Cup. The playoff was deemed necessary due to irregularities found in the transfer market by Gastown FC, who were summarily barred from Provincial competition. The case has now been forwarded to FIFA to see if a transfer ban will be imposed on them during the summer window.
The playoff match was held at Andy Livingstone on Saturday March 16 and young veteran, Vincent Martin, turned back the clock with a lively performance that saw him pop up in the right spot to net 2 goals in a 2-1 victory over Dasmesh. The BCSA Senior Mens Provincial Cup Draw was then held on April 2 in Victoria, and saw both Rino’s squad draw familiar VMSL opposition. The Fury were drawn against Sarajevo FC, who they’ve met many times in seasons past. Meanwhile the U-21’s drew Estrella de Chile, with whom they split the season series with one win apiece.
The matches will take place on Sunday April 14 at Andy Livingstone. The U-21’s kickoff at 12:30pm, followed by the Fury at 3:00pm. Both teams are hoping for a solid turnout from the home supporters.