Powell River Villa found their footing at home to beat Saanich’s Lakehill United 2-0 on Sunday, November 22.
After two weeks off due to a rain cancellation and a forfeit, the Powell River club were ready to defend their home territory to the second-ranked team in Division 2.
“I was a little fearful we might be a little rusty, but we were hungry and it showed today,” said head coach Chris McDonough.
The win moves Powell River up from eighth place to fifth with 14 points in 10 games played.
The faithful fans who showed up at Timberlane Park to cheer on Villa were treated not only to a win but to sunny skies overhead.
Much of first-half play took place mid-field where both sides were prepared to defend against any long crosses to wingers or centre forwards.
The first goal was scored during the last five minutes of an evenly played first half in which neither side had any clear scoring opportunity.
Kurtis Dennison found an opening about 40 yards off the net to put the hometown side ahead, 1-0. Dennison said it was the best goal he ever scored due to the sheer distance the ball travelled, through a tangle of players from both teams.
After what had been a fairly conservative first half with very few attempts on goal, the second half opened up both teams’ offensive energy.
Powell River held on to a solid defence and didn’t give up too many chances. As the Lakehill side increased their attack it allowed Powell River to take advantage of their transition game and, rather than clogging up the middle, they took to the offense.
Villa’s second goal found its way into the net early in the second half and proved to be the decisive and aggressively sought insurance marker for the hometown team.
A low, seeming harmless shot towards the net by defenseman Dean Thorsell, pressing forward to join the attack, was accidentally deflected in the goal by an unsuspecting Lakehill defender.
Despite having a limited source of substitute players, Lakehill put up a solid match. During the late part of the second half they pressed the young Powell River defence; however, they were unable to mount a threatening scoring opportunity.
This was the third pairing between Powell River Villa and Saanich’s Lakehill United. The first game was a loss for Powell River who played with a diminished roster in Saanich. With a full team at the second match, Villa was able to eek out a late goal to win.
Villa also picked up a couple of players recently, including Joel Harry, who gave the team a helping hand, according to McDonough. Returning players that had been on the mend padded the roster as well.
“It was probably one of the best games we played all year,” said McDonough. “There were quite a few injuries early on, so getting some of these guys back has been good.”
Villa’s next game is in Victoria on November 28 against Vantreights FC.
