Powell River Villa lost its second game in a row and sixth of the season to find itself in last place heading into the holiday break.
On Saturday, December 8, the team travelled to Victoria and was edged by Vic West Wolves 2-1 with an outcome all too familiar for the players.
Coaches feel the effort players bring to the games should count for a few good bounces instead of the ones that are keeping them off the scoresheet.
At Finlayson Park, Villa got off to a pretty good start with equal possession or better for the first 20 minutes.
The return of Brandon Knox bolstered a healthy roster that had a few good chances but no goals early.
As often happens when players don’t capitalize, the Wolves took advantage of a tentative pass back to keeper Matt Liknes and a forward ran in, stole the ball and scored to make it 1-0 after 25 minutes.
The goal held up until half time where Villa regrouped and tried to maintain its composure.
“It’s not insurmountable,” captain Kye Taylor told the team at the break. “We feel like we’re playing well, but we’re just not getting the bounces.” After the game, he added, “It was frustrating with a few guys boiling over maybe feeling like we were hard done by. We just had to grit our teeth and keep working.”
Villa worked hard to start the second half and it paid off at 60 minutes when Joel Harry sent in a cross that Jordan Peters flicked on and into the far side of the goal.
Tied 1-1, Villa got a lift from the goal and started to take it to the Wolves.
After a few chances to take the lead, Villa’s Sean Jenkins put the ball into the net only to have it called back on an offside, a call loudly protested by Powell River.
Sure enough, right after the disallowed goal, the Wolves caught Villa pressing and on the counter attack the centre back dodged a tackle from Taylor and scored from 20 yards out.
The shot deflected off the toe of Taylor and the change of direction fooled Liknes just enough for the ball to elude him.
With just 15 minutes remaining, Villa continued to press with a couple of good chances, but the best was near the final whistle when a Taylor header went off the post and stayed out.
“Just one of those days when you work hard but you don’t get the result,” Taylor said with a sigh. “The loss puts us on the bottom of the standings, but I wouldn’t expect us to stay there given the players we have at our disposal. We have the confidence that we can do it. It’s just a matter of putting the ball in the net early and taking it to teams.”
This strategy, however, may not be as easy as it used to be due to the parity in the division. “All the teams are pretty good now, with no really weak teams, so it makes for a really interesting division,” he said. “It also makes for fun soccer that fans can come out and watch.”
Villa has three weeks away from Vancouver Island Soccer League action. The team will participate in the Steve Steele charity game on Boxing Day.
Villa would also like the public to know about Show Time taking place at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 26 at Dwight Hall. This event is hosted by Villa and Powell River Regals and will showcase local talent. More information can be found on Villa’s Facebook event page and tickets can be purchased at The Lockeroom, Armitage Mens Wear and Cream & Sugar salon and spa.
