It does not get any better than this weekend – semi finals for 3 different VISL Cups.
Our oldest standing Cup, the Jackson Cup that started in 1914/1915 is our main event, and here is that draw.
The scheduling Gods were on our side in a way – local amateur soccer enthusiasts will not need to choose and can take in both games on 2 separate days.
Friday night will have Bays United, of the District of Oak Bay, travel to Hampton Park in Saanich where they face defending champions Gorge FC.
While Gorge has not had the most successful of divisional years, they have found a way to reach the semi finals and face Bays United.
Bays themselves have just recently found their form after a bad month or so and have pulled in better results.
This will be an interesting match that gets started at 8 PM on the turf.
Saturday night will have the young guns, and newer kids on the block, Westcastle host the Cinderella team of the tournament Comox United.
Westcastle has been solid all year and have phenomenal young players – most of which train with PSI on a daily basis.
Comox had a terrible 2018, but have turned things around in a HUGE way in 2019.
This game will have a kickoff time of 6 PM and it will be at Finlayson Turf.
****But there is more to the weekend.
We also put a highlight on the Tony Grover Masters Cup – for players that are 35+.
This tournament started in 1999-2000.
Those wanting to take in the Masters games are also fortunate that both semis are on separate nights, and they are featuring four of the top 5 teams in the division.
Friday night is a classic match up of the current 2 vs 1 as UVic Alumni host Cowichan 49ers at 7:30 PM at UVic’s turf.
It is so close between these two teams that only goal difference separate the two and Cowichan carry the slight edge.
The other side of the draw has their match taking place at Hampton Park as Gorge hosts their friends from across the bridge – Vic West H2X.
That game takes place at 4 pm on Saturday and will be part of a special celebration weekend at Hampton as many teams are participating in Cup playdowns.
Depending on who you ask, the underdog and favorite are also tight.
While both teams have split results over the course of the year, Gorge seems to be hitting stride, have had players come back from injuries, and seem to be in good shape finally.
****And we top it off with the George Pearkes Challenge Cup, competed for since 1983-1984
It is our 2nd tiered Cup for players typically in divisions 3 and 4. It is clear that many of these players could be playing in higher divisions.
The first semi final is an all Gorge affair as #1 ranked, undefeated, 2018/2019 McGavin Cup Champions Gorge Us-Guys out of Div 3B where they have been crowned divisional champions square off against Gorge FC of Div 3A.
The underdogs from 3A finished 2nd, and have been flying under the radar of their friends from 3B who are clearly looking to win all the hardware this year – and is definitely possible.
This game will be just before the Jackson Cup game, so will be a fun night to be at Hampton.
The other semi final has host Hellas facing Campbell River Cermaq Golden Wings on Saturday, at Westhills, with a 8 PM kickoff.
Both these teams are quite passionate and bring a lot of heart to their games.
There will be some of the harder tackles and a lot of pride on the line as the entire Greek community will be cheering on their squad against the boys from the North Island.
These teams did not face each other this year, so some old acquaintances will be renewed one could say.
This will be a great opportunity to support local soccer and people that work in your community.
Talk around work and business water coolers on Monday could be very interesting.
Vince Greco
VISL Executive Director