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Powell River Villa suffers second straight loss

Soccer club lacks goal scoring threat at centre forward

Powell River Villa soccer club fell to Prospect Lake Lakers in a second straight loss early in the season.

Villa lost 1-0 in the away game of Vancouver Island Soccer League division two play on Saturday, October 1.

Villa also received a red card against Ben Payne late in the second half, putting the club down a player.

“We were on the wrong end of a foul called,” said Villa head coach Mario Paul. “What’s on the disciplinary block is a three-game suspension and a significant fine, which seems pretty unfair. It’s something that can be challenged, so I’m going to do my best to knock that down.”

Kurtis Dennison, who broke a rib in Villa’s 1-0 home opener loss to Victoria Vantreights, played 80 minutes.

“He toughed it out,” said Paul, “because we were travelling with short numbers.”

The game was another physical battle for Villa against a much bigger side than they’ve played to date.

After winning its season opener 2-0 on the road in Sooke, Villa has been unable to put the ball in the back of the net in the past two games.

“That seems to be the issue,” said Paul. “We’ve got three games and we’ve only scored two goals and only had two goals scored against us.”

Paul singled out goalie Corey McCracken for having another great game in net.

“He managed to stop a clear two-on-none breakaway, which would have made it 2-0 late when we were pressuring hard,” said Paul.

According to Paul, Villa’s defence is solid, but the scoring just isn’t there.

“It’s difficult not having a designated goal scorer, like a centre forward,” said Paul, “with the exception of Joel Mahy, who has recently joined the team.”

Mahy is currently Villa’s only centre forward.

Villa’s next game takes place at 1:30 pm on Sunday, October 9, at Timberlane Park against Westcastle United.