It wanted to keep the momentum going and that’s what Powell River Villa did with a 1-1 road tie against Lakehill United on Saturday.
Villa tried to have the start time changed from 4 to 6 pm so David Bertrand could be included in its lineup but the pitch wasn’t available so Bertrand wasn’t either.
Just 13 players, including coach Jamie Zroback and manager Todd Phillips, made the trip but Zroback said the mix of veterans and rookies was just perfect.
“Braxton Leask, Craig Simmons, Jake Kenmuir and a new guy to our team, Todd Cross, all played beyond their abilities which was great.”
Villa started out very composed and, after carrying the play to Lakehill, caused its opposition to take a foul.
Dean Thorsell sent a ball through to Braxton, who was deep in the Lakehill box, but the young striker never had a chance to get a shot away when he was taken down hard.
A penalty kick was awarded to Villa and Jordan Peters coolly pounded his second penalty shot this year into the net at the 20-minute mark.
Villa was thrilled that its hard work thus far in the game had been rewarded but the opposition was less than enamoured with the call.
Lakehill was all over the referee and continued to rail against him, which seemed to tilt the calls against Villa.
“They almost had 15 free kicks,” said Zroback, “and it was almost to the point of getting ridiculous. Any little minor thing was a free kick, free kick, free kick.”
Zroback warned his teammates at the halftime break. “Listen guys, the crowd’s on him and the other team is on him so bad there is going to be a makeup call for even the slightest thing.”
Villa maintained its lead and composure throughout most of the second half but at the 87-minute mark the predicted phantom call and subsequent tying goal was scored.
During a Lakehill rush the player pushed the ball by Villa defender Rob Devlin and out of the end of the pitch.
After the ball was over the line the Lakehill player and Devlin collided and Devlin was called for the foul.
On the ensuing free kick, from a few feet outside the 18-yard box, Lakehill launched a shot to the top corner that tied the game 1-1.
Villa keepers Douglas Rivera and Matt Liknes have been working with Paul Liknes and Cory McCracken on just such a kick but the shot around the five-man wall was perfect and indefensible by Liknes.
“I think it was a great team-building weekend,” Zroback said despite the late goal, “to go down a little bit shorthanded and doing so well.
“One of the key points from last weekend, and a big reason for the tie today, was that we’ve got Kye Taylor back along with Thorsell and Brandon Knox. The three of them all played and that’s going to be the key to our success this year.”
Scott Hobson was not available to the team this week due to his red card and ejection from last week’s game and his status will not be known until the disciplinary committee convenes later in the week.
“He’s regarded as one of the best defenders in the league,” said Zroback, “and it’s doubtful that he’ll be playing this weekend.”
Villa’s next game is against Gordon Head Blue at 5:15 pm on Saturday, October 22 at Brooks Turf field.
