Despite the strong start for Powell River Villa this year, back-to-back losses have dropped the team in the standings in, what looks to be, a very competitive division.
Division Two is easily the tightest of all in the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISLA) and even a mini slump could see a team fall out of the race for the top.
On Saturday, Villa travelled to Victoria to take on Lakehill Reds 2 at Braefoot Park and amid a sideways rainstorm started the game at 6 pm.
A full squad made the trip but key players such as Brandon Knox (red card), Matt Liknes (injury) and Tristen Forseth were not available.
Still, Villa started quickly and was step for step with the young and fit Victoria side, with play going back and forth.
The first really good chance to score came with 10 minutes to go in the half and it resulted in a Villa goal.
Kye Taylor got into the mix in the box on a Villa corner kick and he promptly headed the ball into the net for the 1-0 lead at the half.
During the break coach Jamie Zroback said, “Let’s just keep playing the way we are and try to raise the level a little bit.”
The team did that but a defensive miscue led to a turnover and a two-on-one where a perfect shot beat keeper Cory McCracken at 58 minutes.
Tied 1-1 the two teams continued their even play until a foul was called on Taylor around the top of the 18-yard box.
The Lakehill free kick went into a group of players in front of the net and unfortunately ricocheted off one of them into the net for the winning goal at 75 minutes.
Villa picked up the pace and in the remaining 15 minutes Villa’s Taylor drove a ball just over the net.Jordan Peters had a chance and Jake Kenmuir came close but none could get the equalizer.
“It was one of those games,” said Zroback, “where one turnover was the difference. We haven’t seen these guys before and I can see them being a top contender. They are that good.”
It speaks volumes for the strength of the division.
“When you look back on some of the seasons,” said Zroback, “some of the games were easier but there are no easy games this year. It’s going to be a battle right to the bitter end.”
That’s a good thing for the VISL and a good thing for Villa fans who want to see competitive soccer. Every game promises to be hotly contested and certainly meaningful when it comes to the standings.
For that to happen, Villa needs all hands on deck, but David Bertrand is out with an ankle injury, Liknes is doubtful and Knox is out until the next disciplinary hearing on November 6.
Villa’s next game is at 1:30 pm on Sunday, November 4 against high-scoring Nanaimo United FC2 at Timberlane Park.
