The Cowichan 49ers masters soccer team was on the road last weekend to face a formidable foe in Vic West.
“Vic West is a strong counter-attack team with great speed and playmakers,” said team spokesperson, defender Adam Taft. “They are a team you do not want to trade opportunities with.”
Following a string of passes, Cowichan forward Darcy Penner opened the scoring just five minutes into the game. Despite more opportunities at goal, the 49ers could not find a second marker in the first half.
“The weather held but the Central Park grass pitch proved difficult to be sure of footing and many goal scoring opportunities were near misses, Taft explained.
The second half started much the same way as the first with Matt James getting his first of the season adding his club’s second goal at the 47th minute. Vic West pushed back in the second half to no avail.
The 49er’s stingy defence was on display, thanks to defenders Jesse Winter, Adam Taft, Todd Vass, Chad Bastian and Adrian Achurch, who all played strong in the back to keep the final tally at 2-0.
Man of the Match, Stu Barker led an attack that often had the Vic West defence scrambling. The Cowichan midfield won the ball possession battle all game, and ever the wall, goalkeeper Darian Achurch earned yet another shutout, his sixth on the year.
In other Cowichan masters soccer action, the Cowichan Steelheads fell to Gorge FC 3-2 on Saturday. Kevin Smith and Alan Kane scored for Cowichan in the 46th and 67th minutes respectively but it was too late for a complete comeback.
The Steelheads are 1-6 on the season, three points ahead of last place JDF Pacific.
Meanwhile, in division 3 men’s play, Cowichan Oak FC lost 4-0 to Gorge FC on Sunday. Their season record is one win, six losses and a draw to keep them two points ahead of last place Prospect Lake Lakers in the division 3 standings.
And finally, Div. 1 Cowichan Axis FC’s attempt at victory was thwarted by Vic West Friday evening when they fell 3-1 on home turf. Team leading scorer Michael Daniels netted Cowichan’s only goal in the 59th minute.
Axis sits in the middle of the pack after eight games played with a record of 3-4-1.