The top team in the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s O35 division now boasts the division’s leading scorer as well.
Stu Barker scored two goals in the Cowichan 49ers’ 5-0 win over JDF Pacific at the Sherman Road turf on Saturday night to take sole possession of top spot in the O35A scoring race with seven on the season.
The 49ers already held a 2-0 lead before Barker struck for his first goal in the 39th minute. His next goal came nine minutes into the second half when he buried the rebound from Darcy Penner’s one-timer. Barker was awarded “the chain” as Cowichan’s Man of the Match for his heroics.
Cowichan’s opening goal came in the 14th minute, when Richard Lord scored on a nice volley off a cross from Tyler Hughes. Neall Rowlings scored the next goal with his left foot in the 28th minute, just moments after missing on the breakaway of his career. Todd Vass rounded out the scoring in the 68th minute.
Darian Achurch earned his fourth shutout, moving into a tie with former 49ers keeper Rob McIntyre for the league lead, and Matt James, Mike Minckler and Matt Arnett played well in the centre of the park.
The 49ers won 2-0 last time they faced last-place JDF, and while the score wasn’t as close, Rowlings did note how far the other team had come since then.
”JDF was way better this time than last, but the 49ers are really starting to gel,” he said.
The 49ers remain atop the table with six wins, one draw and one loss, three points ahead of UVic Alumni. They have this weekend off and are scheduled to play host to Gorge on Nov. 27.
The Cowichan Steelheads had last weekend off. They are scheduled to play at home against Vic West this Saturday at 8 p.m., but the partial closure of the Malahat until next Wednesday may force that to be changed.
