After suffering its first loss last week, 2-1 to Fernwood Town FC, Powell River Villa righted the ship with a convincing 3-0 win over Cordova Bay Red Barn Bobcats on Saturday, December 13.
Preparation and a positive attitude were important. “Everyone really refocused in training this week and paid a lot of attention to detail and getting a good start in this game,” said coach Chris McDonough. “We wanted to come out strong right away and assert our presence early.”
There were a couple of changes from the week before including the absence of Trevor Harry and Daniel Paul but the team was able to add Kye Taylor, Rob Devlin and a healthy keeper, Matt Liknes.
Villa made the trip down to Saanich on Saturday for the 6 pm game and against an older team got the strong start it was looking for.
After 10 minutes it took complete control and opened the scoring on a nice corner kick by Billy Bagiopoulos. The young marksman got the ball to Jake Kenmuir whose volley was blocked but it came to Taylor who slotted it in the far corner.
The 1-0 lead held up through the half but given the possession it seemed like the score was much bigger.
At half-time McDonough urged the players to stay aggressive and not to sit back on the slim lead.
They heeded the advice and kept the pressure on which resulted in the second goal at 70 minutes on another nice effort from Taylor.
He brought the ball down off his chest, beat his man and calmly put it in the top corner for his second of the game.
With 10 minutes to go Kenmuir used his speed to break away but was hauled down for a penalty kick which was taken by Brody Harry.
Harry made good with a blast to the right lower corner and Villa had its ninth win of the year 3-0.
“It was pretty routine for us,” said McDonough. “They defended well but we just had to figure out how to break them down.”
It was a great team effort for sure but the catalyst for Villa on this day was the successful return of its captain.
“Kye Taylor was the man of the match,” said McDonough. “He dominated the game at all levels. He was winning balls in the air, playing the ball right out of the back and distributing it all over the pitch. He just doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and he keeps the ball for us and that just wears teams out.”
Villa takes a break from Vancouver Island Soccer League action until January 17 when it will travel to Alberni Valley. There will be a different look to the team for that trip.
Jorge Martinez Reyes and Miguel Gonzales are heading home and not returning. “It was good to get the win for those guys and we want to thank them for their help and wish them all the best,” said McDonough. “They were a big part of the team.”
McDonough has been casting around for replacements. “I’ve been in talks with some former players that might be coming back to town and we’re also talking to Camber College. We’ve got a few options and are really looking forward to finishing this season strong.”
Team Standings
# Team GP W L T GF GA Diff Pts
1 Powell River Villa 3B 11 9 1 1 36 8 28 28
2 Fernwood Town FC 3B 10 6 3 1 20 14 6 19
3 Juan de Fuca 3B 10 5 3 2 28 34 -6 17
4 Alberni Athletics 3B 11 5 5 1 40 22 18 16
5 FC Sagres 3B 10 4 4 2 28 19 9 14
6 Cordova Bay Red Barn Bobcats 3B12 4 6 2 17 28 -11 14
7 PLSC Lakers 3B 9 4 5 0 16 18 -2 12
8 Lakehill Danger Police 3B 10 3 5 2 14 26 -12 11
9 Penelakut United 3B 9 0 8 1 5 35 -30 1
