Powell River Villa soccer club opened its Vancouver Island Soccer League 2016/17 season on the road with a 2-0 win over Fred Milne Park Rangers FC in Sooke on Saturday, September 17.
“Skillfully, we were a much better team than they were, but being our first game they were able to impose their tough style of play,” said Villa’s new head coach Mario Paul. “It took us a while to get into the rhythm of it. When we did it was evident that we were a better side on the day.”
Paul went into training camp stressing fitness and that turned out to be the deciding factor in the match.
“It’s a tough place to play,” said Paul. “They’re a very physical side; we knew that going in. We prepared for a physical battle with them and it turned out to be just that. Our fitness took over and we kind of left them behind. It was fantastic.”
Brandon Knox scored both goals for Villa and, according to Paul, could have had at least one or two more. Paul also singled out Kurtis Dennison at midfield for his exceptional play. Goaltender Corey McCracken recorded the shutout.
“Our defence was solid and made very few mistakes,” said Paul. “McCracken didn’t have too much to worry about for the entire 90 minutes.”
As Villa looks ahead, Paul said it is going to be tricky managing his roster for the next few weeks. The team is losing Steve Smith, who is returning home to New Zealand.
“He was a factor in the game, so it will be sad to see him go,” said Paul. “We do have a couple of other experienced defencemen that will be available to us. Daniel Paul was away for the game, so when he’s back he’ll be able to fill that position for us as well.”
Paul said Kye Taylor went into the Sooke game nursing a bit of a groin injury but managed to play the entire 90 minutes without aggravating it any further.
Villa’s first home game of the season, Sunday, September 25, at Timberlane Park, will be played against a familiar team to Paul.
“We play my old club, Victoria Vantreights FC,” said Paul. “I don’t know very much about them now, so we’ll just prepare for another battle because traditionally they’re a team that puts up a pretty good fight.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm.
