by Glen Gibbs Peak Sports Powell River Villa opened the 2011-2012 season with a 2-1 loss to Gordon Head Blazers on Saturday, September 10, in Victoria.
It was the second year in a row the two teams have drawn each other for the first game of the year and the 2-1 loss stung just a little less than the 1-0 shutout the year before.
The temperature at Tyndall Park was a scorching 29 degrees at game time and both teams’ energy level suffered under the extreme heat.
After the usual 10-minute spurt that comes from the excitement of getting the season underway, play settled down to a much slower pace for the next 80.
Neither team could generate much offence until the 25-minute mark when Gordon Head managed to find an open striker behind keeper Matt Liknes and he put in the game’s first goal.
Play got a little chippy after the goal and both teams upped the physicality of their game.
Powell River’s Kye Taylor was the recipient of a yellow card before the half ended with a warning by the referee to calm down and play the game.
The half ended 1-0 but Villa came out in the second with a burst of energy that resulted in a goal at the 60-minute mark.
A free kick was awarded to Powell River and from just over centre Daniel Paul lobbed the ball to Taylor who headed it perfectly into the net.
Taylor and his teammates’ celebration of the tie was short-lived when just a couple of minutes later he was ejected from the game after receiving his second yellow card.
“It was a hard tackle,” said coach Jamie Zroback, “but it was nothing compared to some of the other stuff that was going on.”
In any case, Villa’s best player remained on the sidelines for the rest of the game and with the score tied 1-1 it was left to 10 players to hold off the hungry Blazers.
They did a commendable job right up to the 80-minute mark but Blazers scored a pretty goal on a cross and flick into the top corner of the net.
The heat, Blazers and the admitted lack of conditioning of Villa players allowed Gordon Head to cruise through the last 10 minutes to victory but Villa rookie Jake Kenmuir did create a little excitement with a great run near the end.
He chased after a nice ball down the right wing and cut into position to let a shot go just wide of the goal.
“He came in just after the second half,” said Zroback of young Kenmuir, “and had himself a really nice game.”
Villa is looking to fill some holes in the lineup this year with the departure of youngsters like Joel Harry, Jake Deforge and James Smart.
It’s hoped that some of the veterans from past teams will sign on for home games while island residents such as Brandon Knox, Dean Thorsell and Paul will join the club for away games.
Another vacancy was created when Cory McCracken’s family grew by one and the keeper decided to retire from the team.
Duties in goal for Villa this year will be shared by Liknes and Douglas Rivera, two keepers who have limited Vancouver Island Soccer League experience but have shown they are ready to take the job on.
Villa will want to avoid the kind of start they had last year when they went eight games without a win before finishing strong.
“We’ve been mid-pack the last two seasons,” said Zroback, “and we’ve played .500 soccer. We want to be a lot better than .500 soccer this year.”
Villa’s next game is on Saturday, September 17, when they host Saltspring FC2 at Brooks turf field at 2 pm.
