-by Dave Hleucka, President FVSL
The first match of the day, The Neil Fuge U21 Cup, had new comers FC Barca from Surrey taking on long time giants of the division the Port Moody Gunners. Referee Peter Paquette, assistants Martin Reid, Kim Green and 4th Tin Po Au. Goals by – Imraj Brar (2), Prabhjot Mand, Karandeep Sanghera, Kaveer Brar, Jacob Mitchell – Game MVP – Imraj Brar
FC Barca played like they’ve won before, playing with a lead near the entire match likely also helped. The young Gunners never really got into this one and thus found themselves chasing the game far to long to really trouble their opponent. Barca sealed the match in the 50th going up 3-1 and put a nail in the coffin in the 75th going up 4-1. The Gunners happened to pull one back late, but at this point in the match it was to late to make the comeback real.
Next up, The Garry Knights Presidents Cup featuring the Fraser Valley Red Devils (div2) vs the Fraser Valley Blue Devils (div 3) Referee Darnell Smith, assistants Andy Pinter, Ed Kennedy and 4th Tom Babic. Goals FVBD – Corey Reid (2) FVRD – Mathew McKenzie (1) – Game MVP FVBD – Corey Reid
One of the best matches of the day with the club mates holding nothing back. If I were to best describe it, I would say it was a bit of old school football. Plenty of tasty tackles flying in with some so big that they were felt up in the beer gardens… no moaning, no complaints they just got up and got on with it, a real testament to the compete level of both sides.
FVBD took the lead in the first half and held it at 1-0 until the final 20 minutes before the FVRD tied it up. The game moved on to overtime and started with the same intensity as regulation. Minutes into the first OT a FVBD player was shown his second yellow, resulting in him being sent off. The game then became frantic until its near conclusion, FVRD pushing and the Blue Devils holding. With 7 minutes remaining from time the FVRD decided to make a Goal Keeper substitution, likely setting up for the impending PK’s. With no more than 1 minute to go a ball fell perfectly to Corey Reid on the left side, top of the 18 and he smashed one home off the inside of far post and in. This setting off one of the largest Air Horn goal celebration I’ve ever heard from the FVBD faithful. Fans also poured from their Beer Garden seats to the front fencing next to the goal to celebrate with the players. A terrific game and equally terrific support from both sides.
The Feature Match of the day, The Pakenham Cup, first played for in 1909 pitted the Port Moody Gunners vs the Port Moody Rangers. They share the same fields and club name, but make no bones about it, there is a fierce rivalry going on. Referee Martin Thompson, assistants Kyle Williams, Sorin Cimbrea and 4th Tin Po Au. Goal Scorer – Port Moody Rangers, Reid Lamb MVP – Reid Lamb
This was a game played at a very fast pace and featured plenty of strong tackles, but all with-in the spirt of the match. The game was even through-out, but the Gunners best chances and possession was maintained through out the first half. A pair of near misses and a few half chances kept the Rangers on the back foot for the first 45. The second half started 0-0 but with the Rangers grabbing the game by the reigns creating a number of their own chances leaving the Gunners lucky not to be trailing.
The game turned on it’s head in approximately the 75th minute as Reid Lamb, the benefactor of some great possession and play, picked up the ball at the top of the D and one timed a ball coming across his body, dipping and bending it into the corner. A strike and goal truly worthy of the Pakenham Cup finals.
From there, all bets were off. The Gunners threw everything at the Rangers even thrashing one off the cross bar with minutes remaining in regulation, but the Defence of Ash, Van de Vendal, Cadman and Szostak did not break. Miguel Hof preserved the clean sheet for the Rangers for their first Pakenham Cup. It should be noted Chris Attadia and Graison Corney were all outstanding on the day for the Gunners.
The final scheduled match of the Day, The Rob Brown Masters Cup, had Surrey Temple vs Coastal FC Peace Arch. Referee Noel Estacio, assistants Tim Smyth, Phil Brown and 4th Mark Thomas. Goal Scorer – Dave Morris (2) MVP – Dave Morris
Our final scheduled game had League contenders Temple defeating last seasons cup winner CFC PAU in a, dare I say… a bit of a lackluster affair. Neither side played particularly well in terms of possession and play but Temple worked tremendously hard on and off the ball. CFC almost seemed disinterested at times giving up possession often and sometimes cheaply. To Temples credit their pressure was coming fast and caused many errant passes and turn overs. All that said; Temple had a terrific final 10 minutes to the first half creating several great chances. CFC’s Ayi-Bonte turned away a couple of point blank efforts keeping it a game and frustrating Temple, that is, until finally a wicked corner kick was brilliantly headed into the side netting by Dave Morris from about 8 yards out.
Literally moments later, off the kick off, PAU get a free kick in Temples end the kick is cleared and the counter attack was on! A quick ball spread wide, then into the middle a quick turn followed by a majestic ball switched to the far left wing… a great individual run beating one CFC defender and a low hard cut back cross right to the waiting foot of Morris 4 yards out. Just like that, in a matter of a minutes Temple we’re strolling into half with a two goal lead when the game looked destined to mucked out.
The second half was much of the same. CFC did have a good push late trying desperately to get one back. Their best chance was a looping through ball that bounced to Jas Atwal who cleverly chipped the ball over the on rushing goal keeper, only to see it agonizingly nick off the outside of the post and into touch. A flurry of corner kicks and shots from range all for not as Temple hold on to win. A spirited affair, played with class and sportsmanship from both.
A bonus match added late – The Bradner Cup Final Div 4, The Bradner Red Shirts vs Kora FC. Referee Phil Allen, assistants Des McDonnell and David Tang. Goal Scorers – Rory Gorton, Brian Noga, Reggie Reddy, Andy Appeldoorn (OG)
A very entertaining and well played match which was tied 2-2 at full time. Over Time solved nothing and The Bradner Red Shirts prevail in penalty kicks 4-3.
After a few days to compose myself, reflect and analyse the tremendous number of positives from another successful FVSL Cup Finals Day we find ourselves already making more plans to increase the success and improve the ever-growing attendance for 2018…
We would like to thank the Port Moody Soccer Club for their 4th successive hosting of our Cup Finals Day and with three teams from the club all vying cups they really pulled through for us… even a nod from the weather gods giving us some much needed sunshine for 4 of the 5 days matches.
On to our now 8th Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner April 21st, Mirage Banquet Hall, Surrey.