-submitted by Vince Greco
Our first full weekend back from the Xmas break, week 15 is upon us.
As we head into the final stretch, the Division 1 standings are tight, but there is definitely some separation happening.
Given the recent results in the final games of 2017, it is clear that Cowichan has a very strong chance of winning their 4th straight Division 1 Championship. This has only been accomplished by 3 other teams, the original Garrison Club in the early 1900’s, Vic West in the early 1940’s, and the recent Gorge FC team in 2010.
Here are the match ups for this weekend, as well as our featured Game Of The Week, for the top flight in the VISL; Division 1.
| Friday, January 19th, 2018 | ||||
| 07:00 PM | Vantreights – (D1) @ Gorge FC – (D1) | Hampton Park | ||
| 08:00 PM | Vic West FC – (D1) @ Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | Oak Bay High School | ||
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Saturday, January 20th, 2018 |
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| 04:00 PM | Cowichan FC – (D1) @ VI Wave – (D1) | PISE | ||
| 05:00 PM | Comox Valley United – (D1) @ Westcastle United – (D1) | Westhills Stadium | ||
| 07:00 PM | Lakehill FC – (D1) @ Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | Merle Logan Turf | ||
Our current standings going into this weekend. Please not that Nanaimo & Westcastle have 1 game in hand.
| # | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Diff | Pts |
| 1 | Cowichan FC – (D1) | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 11 | 26 | 34 |
| 2 | Vic West FC – (D1) | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 38 | 22 | 16 | 27 |
| 3 | Gorge FC – (D1) | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 32 | 23 | 9 | 25 |
| 4 | Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 32 | 18 | 14 | 23 |
| 5 | Westcastle United – (D1) | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 33 | 23 | 10 | 23 |
| 6 | Lakehill FC – (D1) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 30 | 33 | -3 | 21 |
| 7 | Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 17 |
| 8 | Comox Valley United – (D1) | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 32 | -11 | 15 |
| 9 | VI Wave – (D1) | 14 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 11 |
| 10 | Vantreights – (D1) | 14 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 57 | -44 | 3 |
-Gorge will look to stay near the top of the standings and face a struggling Vantreights team. With Nanaimo & Westcastle nipping at their heels, they best not take the Greens lightly.
-Our feature game will be between the host Bays Utd Liquor Plus and the rebuilt Vic West FC.
Bays have been playing much better in the later stages of 2017, but will have their hands quite full with a strenthened Vic West team that was very busy at the transfer deadline. Bays will need the win to stay out of any relegation zone conversation. Vic West will need the win to have any chance of catching Cowichan and hoisting the Garrion Cup.
-Cowichan will face a young quick VI Wave team that have been in virtually every game they have had this year. The young team have lost so many games by 1 goal, but at the end of the day – that is just a statistic. The Yellow & Black can smell the Garrison, an early test of 2018 to see if they will continue the right path. Wave will look to get a step closer of exiting the relegation zone – a tough test to say the least.
-Comox will be in tough vs a yong athletic Westcastle squad. The New Kids on the Block have an opportunity to jump into the top 4, should be an interesting match up.
-Lakehill vs Nanaimo could be a cracker of a game. Both teams are flirting with top 4 finishes – especially Nanaimo. A crucial 3 points on the table for this game. Wish I was in Nanaimo on Saturday night.
Hope to see you at the park, supporting local players and people, supporting local top flight amateur soccer.