Powell River United O35 Soccer Club took to the pitch on a wet and windy Sunday for a match against Islands United FC. Bad weather could not dampen Powell River’s confidence as the team was coming off a good win two weeks ago to open the season.
The game started with Powell River taking control using simple soccer and keeping possession of the ball. It had many chances on net with each just narrowly missing the target.
About 30 minutes into the first half, Islands United sent a long ball down the pitch that took a nasty skip due to the wet field. It went by the Powell River defender, letting the Islands United player in on a partial breakaway. Defender Derek Veenhof was able to track down the opposing player and make a partial tackle but the end result was the ball taking another weird skip and beating goalie Rick Bombardir. The half ended with Powell River down 1-0.
Tony Leach, player and coach, gave a very positive talk during halftime and Powell River remained calm knowing it had 75 per cent of the possession and goals would come.
The second half started much the same as the first with Powell River controlling possession and getting many chances on the net. Powell River’s Dean Piccinin, Cam Miller and Lee Illing created havoc for the visiting team’s defence.
At the 60-minute mark, Powell River’s Ron Fuller was able to find a crease in the box and headed a great cross by Alec Young into the back of the net tying the game 1-1. This seemed to create a sense of relief with the home team and the feeling that a few more goals were within reach.
Powell River kept pressing and narrowly missed multiple chances on net with Illing finally converting another chance into a goal. Powell River’s back line was solid, dominating the air and ground and shutting down any offensive attempts from the visiting team.
Late in the game Fuller took advantage of some open field and blasted a 25-yard cracker into the top corner of the net giving Powell River the 3-1 win.
The team stayed composed and kept calm and pressed its opponents for the full 90 minutes.
Powell River’s next games are a double-header weekend with the team playing home against Qualicum at 1 pm on Saturday, October 8 at Sunset Park upper field and then travelling the next day, October 9, to play against Campbell River.
