January 24, 2019
From the Media Desk of the Fraser Valley Soccer League…
After the holidays and All-Star festivities, it was finally back to work in Umbro Premier League. While things are beginning to be decided elsewhere across the FVSL, here in the UPL it was just Week 16 of play. Just has been the case all season, this week’s results leave us with more questions than answers. With five matches left it is looking like determining the final placings will go right down to the wire!
Here’s a recap of all the action:
Chilliwack 2-2 Surrey United Firefighters – Friday 8:00pm; Tzeachten Turf #1
It did not take long for the scoring to resume as the UPL season got back under way on Friday night in Chilliwack. After the long trek out into the Valley, and with four youth call ups in the squad, including three in the starting eleven, Surrey quickly found themselves trying to dig out of an early hole. A corner kick five minutes in saw the visitors fail to mark All-Star Tyler Epp who was able to stroll down Main Street and nod past a helpless Nuno Jesus. After conceding, Surrey were able to wrestle control away from their hosts and Vince Stewart and Josh Miles in midfield began to take the game over. That combination would level the score early in the second half as Miles did all the running out wide before crossing to find Stewart who banged home his first goal of the season. Miles continued to be a handful, giving the Chilliwack defenders fits on the wing, and it was him once more providing the service that saw Surrey take the lead. This time Miles cut the ball back through the penalty area and it looked for all the world as though Masters call up Sean Crocker would be on deck for a tap-in, only to see the youthful legs of U17 substitute Malichai Emerson eagerly nip in ahead of him to beat him to the finish. Surely Crocker will be hearing how age has caught up to him from his Masters teammates once they get wind of that! Late in the match Surrey’s lack of personnel seemed to catch up to them as it was all hands to the pump with them trying to stave off a deluge of Chilliwack pressure. The home side leveled in slightly controversial fashion with just minutes to spare. Surrey keeper Jesus came to deal with and Chilliwack’s Nicholas Haywood charged in taking the ball and Jesus into the net with him. After seemingly thinking about it for a moment, the referee allowed the goal to stand, much to Firefighter’s dismay. Despite surely feeling like it was two points dropped at the death, assistant manager Dave Hleucka was able to take the positives from “how much work was put in” given the long trip and the short numbers as well as being thrilled with the “terrific individual performances from the youth players.”
Port Moody Gunners 3-0 Burnaby Firefighters – Saturday 4pm; Trasolini Turf
Irrespective of the disparity in league position between these two sides, Burnaby were never going to cede the points to Port Moody without a fight. Despite shading the possession number through the opening half hour, the home side had precious little to show for it in terms of actual goal scoring opportunities. However, a controversial penalty call, at least in the eyes of the Firefighters, gave Port Moody a chance to open the scoring. The Gunners leading goal scorer, All-Star Graeme Meers, was not bothered at all about whether or not the spot kick was deserved as he stepped up and calmly slotted away his fourteenth goal of the campaign. In the second half Moody started to carve out further chances, particularly Mark Talisuna who continued to show why he was named to the FVSL All-Star team as he put in yet another top-drawer performance. Talisuna likely could have had a hat trick with all the looks he was creating but James Pistrin in the Burnaby goal was in fine form himself to keep the Gunners out. Around the hour mark, though, he was powerless to stop a fantastic finish from substitute Monywiir Dharjang who volleyed home a rock to double the Gunners lead. The goal was Dharjang’s fourth of the season for Port Moody’s UPL outfit and he has a further four for the Division 1 group where he splits his time. The game was salted away by Tyler Leonard who was acquired ahead of the BC Soccer transfer deadline from West Van of the VMSL. Leonard made sure to make the powers that be at Port Moody look rather astute, proving to be a smart pick up as he lasered in a goal on his debut. Firefighters saw the usual quality performance turned in by All-Star Tyler Rosenlund in midfield, but, beyond that, they simply did not have an answer for a fit and feisty Gunners side on this day. Richard Meister earned his third clean sheet of the year in the win as Port Moody sit now just a point out of first.
Coastal FC 2-2 Langley United – Saturday 4pm; South Surrey Athletic Park #10
The third edition of this marquee heavyweight tilt between the top two teams from the UPL last season, finished with the same score line as their last meeting; a 2-2 draw. Scott Barling was the man stirring the drink for the visitors in midfield and, in addition to a first-class performance, he also chipped in with a goal. Mike Perry had the other marker for Langley but, alas, it was not enough to vault United into first place. Golden Boot leader Jake Starheim and Sean Northcote had the replies for the champions. While they will be happy not to have been leapfrogged by Langley, Coastal will be aware that the draw continues to keep things air tight in the title race. Sharing the points was not for a want of trying by either side though as the tackles went flying in during a spirited affair. In an intense, physical match, both sides left everything out on the pitch, but could not find the decisive marker. Shawn Parkes put in a solid shift for Coastal, but he and his teammates will need to quickly regroup for a trip to Surrey United as they look to maintain control of their own fate in their pursuit of back to back UPL titles.
Abbotsford United 4-2 Temple Vancouver United – Saturday 6pm; Mouat Turf #5
A flurry of goals rounded out the weekend, as the encounter between Abbotsford and Temple kept the neutrals entertained out at Mouat. It was another case of a fast start with some pretty passing being finished off by Tyson Hunter to give the home side the lead. Further positive play saw Abby double their advantage inside the opening ten minutes when their pressure lead to a handball decision that earned them a penalty. Leading scorer Reece Branion stepped up to tuck away from twelve yards, making it eleven on the year for him. Temple though, as has been their style during their inaugural FVSL season, continued to battle, putting in some solid defensive work blocking shots and preventing Abbotsford from extending their lead even further. When the visitors did earn a chance at the other end, Abby’s All-Star goalkeeper Mike Haladin was on hand to thwart them, covering up, as he has done so often this season, any defensive lapses from his teammates. Unfortunately for Haladin, he was helpless to prevent a poor challenge in first half stoppage time that won Temple a penalty of their own. Amar Takhar dispatched the spot kick to half the deficit going into the break. At the start of the second period Abby got back on top and their rediscovered attacking mentality payed dividends with Brady Weir turning home a Kree Byrne cross to restore their two-goal lead. Again however, Temple would not give in, as some poor defending from Abby saw Mudiwa Shoniwa pull the visitors within one once more. It looked set to be a nervy finish but a great dribbling display from Roshan Gosal set up a second goal for Weir in stoppage time to make the points safe. Abbotsford manager Alan Alderson was full of praise for his boys after the win saying that he “loved our start and loved our overall attacking play and the number of high-quality chances we created throughout the game.” He knows that with other results going their way, there is still a chance for this group to do something special this year. “Great to start the new year with three points,” he said, “looking forward to seeing what our large group of young players are going to be able to accomplish this season.” Rajvir Basi played well for Temple in the loss, who continue to fight tooth and nail even as it looks more and more likely that they are destined for a last place finish.
BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
This week’s Brown’s Social House Player of the week is Tyler Epp from Chilliwack FC. Fresh off being named to the FVSL All-Star team, Tyler had another top performance for his Chilliwack side. In addition to his usual top-class defensive work, he also chipped in with a goal, helping his team earn a crucial point in their fight to ensure the have no chance at all of being relegated. Congratulations Tyler, you have won a $25 gift card courtesy of Brown’s Social House!
THIS WEEK’S UPL SCHEDULE:
Fri 01/25/2019 8:30PM Langley United vs. Port Moody Gunners Yorkson Turf
Fri 01/25/2019 8:45PM Surrey United vs. Coastal FC Cloverdale Athletic #2
Sat 01/26/2019 6:15PM Temple VAN United vs. Chilliwack FC Hjorth Road #1
Sat 01/26/2019 8:00PM Burnaby Firefighters vs. Abbotsford United Burnaby Lake West #5
One to watch this week is Langley United hosting Port Moody Gunners. The teams come into the game tied for second place, just a point behind defending champions Coastal. With the number of games left on the schedule rapidly running out, neither side can afford to lose any ground in the title chase. Both their previous meetings this season have resulted in draws and that will certainly be the result Coastal will be hoping for again this time around as it would be ideal to see both of their closest challengers drop points in the same week.
There will be no shortage of goal scoring power in this one as Port Moody’s Graeme Meers and Langley’s Connor Hildebrandt are both threats to win the Golden Boot. Given the fire power up front, this game might just come down to which goalkeeper is can make the crucial save at the crucial moment. Both Miguel Hof and Richard Meister for the Gunners are coming off clean sheets in their most recent outings, while Langley’s Andrew Hicks was once more named an All-Star this season and is showing the form that helped carry Langley to the Provincial Cup final last season. This one sets up as real cracker and should give us our first major twist in the title race as we enter the final stretch drive!
Send NEWS to media@fraservalleysoccer.com
And for more information on the FVSL go to
January 24, 2019
From the Media Desk of the Fraser Valley Soccer League…
After the holidays and All-Star festivities, it was finally back to work in Umbro Premier League. While things are beginning to be decided elsewhere across the FVSL, here in the UPL it was just Week 16 of play. Just has been the case all season, this week’s results leave us with more questions than answers. With five matches left it is looking like determining the final placings will go right down to the wire!
Here’s a recap of all the action:
Chilliwack 2-2 Surrey United Firefighters – Friday 8:00pm; Tzeachten Turf #1
It did not take long for the scoring to resume as the UPL season got back under way on Friday night in Chilliwack. After the long trek out into the Valley, and with four youth call ups in the squad, including three in the starting eleven, Surrey quickly found themselves trying to dig out of an early hole. A corner kick five minutes in saw the visitors fail to mark All-Star Tyler Epp who was able to stroll down Main Street and nod past a helpless Nuno Jesus. After conceding, Surrey were able to wrestle control away from their hosts and Vince Stewart and Josh Miles in midfield began to take the game over. That combination would level the score early in the second half as Miles did all the running out wide before crossing to find Stewart who banged home his first goal of the season. Miles continued to be a handful, giving the Chilliwack defenders fits on the wing, and it was him once more providing the service that saw Surrey take the lead. This time Miles cut the ball back through the penalty area and it looked for all the world as though Masters call up Sean Crocker would be on deck for a tap-in, only to see the youthful legs of U17 substitute Malichai Emerson eagerly nip in ahead of him to beat him to the finish. Surely Crocker will be hearing how age has caught up to him from his Masters teammates once they get wind of that! Late in the match Surrey’s lack of personnel seemed to catch up to them as it was all hands to the pump with them trying to stave off a deluge of Chilliwack pressure. The home side leveled in slightly controversial fashion with just minutes to spare. Surrey keeper Jesus came to deal with and Chilliwack’s Nicholas Haywood charged in taking the ball and Jesus into the net with him. After seemingly thinking about it for a moment, the referee allowed the goal to stand, much to Firefighter’s dismay. Despite surely feeling like it was two points dropped at the death, assistant manager Dave Hleucka was able to take the positives from “how much work was put in” given the long trip and the short numbers as well as being thrilled with the “terrific individual performances from the youth players.”
Port Moody Gunners 3-0 Burnaby Firefighters – Saturday 4pm; Trasolini Turf
Irrespective of the disparity in league position between these two sides, Burnaby were never going to cede the points to Port Moody without a fight. Despite shading the possession number through the opening half hour, the home side had precious little to show for it in terms of actual goal scoring opportunities. However, a controversial penalty call, at least in the eyes of the Firefighters, gave Port Moody a chance to open the scoring. The Gunners leading goal scorer, All-Star Graeme Meers, was not bothered at all about whether or not the spot kick was deserved as he stepped up and calmly slotted away his fourteenth goal of the campaign. In the second half Moody started to carve out further chances, particularly Mark Talisuna who continued to show why he was named to the FVSL All-Star team as he put in yet another top-drawer performance. Talisuna likely could have had a hat trick with all the looks he was creating but James Pistrin in the Burnaby goal was in fine form himself to keep the Gunners out. Around the hour mark, though, he was powerless to stop a fantastic finish from substitute Monywiir Dharjang who volleyed home a rock to double the Gunners lead. The goal was Dharjang’s fourth of the season for Port Moody’s UPL outfit and he has a further four for the Division 1 group where he splits his time. The game was salted away by Tyler Leonard who was acquired ahead of the BC Soccer transfer deadline from West Van of the VMSL. Leonard made sure to make the powers that be at Port Moody look rather astute, proving to be a smart pick up as he lasered in a goal on his debut. Firefighters saw the usual quality performance turned in by All-Star Tyler Rosenlund in midfield, but, beyond that, they simply did not have an answer for a fit and feisty Gunners side on this day. Richard Meister earned his third clean sheet of the year in the win as Port Moody sit now just a point out of first.
Coastal FC 2-2 Langley United – Saturday 4pm; South Surrey Athletic Park #10
The third edition of this marquee heavyweight tilt between the top two teams from the UPL last season, finished with the same score line as their last meeting; a 2-2 draw. Scott Barling was the man stirring the drink for the visitors in midfield and, in addition to a first-class performance, he also chipped in with a goal. Mike Perry had the other marker for Langley but, alas, it was not enough to vault United into first place. Golden Boot leader Jake Starheim and Sean Northcote had the replies for the champions. While they will be happy not to have been leapfrogged by Langley, Coastal will be aware that the draw continues to keep things air tight in the title race. Sharing the points was not for a want of trying by either side though as the tackles went flying in during a spirited affair. In an intense, physical match, both sides left everything out on the pitch, but could not find the decisive marker. Shawn Parkes put in a solid shift for Coastal, but he and his teammates will need to quickly regroup for a trip to Surrey United as they look to maintain control of their own fate in their pursuit of back to back UPL titles.
Abbotsford United 4-2 Temple Vancouver United – Saturday 6pm; Mouat Turf #5
A flurry of goals rounded out the weekend, as the encounter between Abbotsford and Temple kept the neutrals entertained out at Mouat. It was another case of a fast start with some pretty passing being finished off by Tyson Hunter to give the home side the lead. Further positive play saw Abby double their advantage inside the opening ten minutes when their pressure lead to a handball decision that earned them a penalty. Leading scorer Reece Branion stepped up to tuck away from twelve yards, making it eleven on the year for him. Temple though, as has been their style during their inaugural FVSL season, continued to battle, putting in some solid defensive work blocking shots and preventing Abbotsford from extending their lead even further. When the visitors did earn a chance at the other end, Abby’s All-Star goalkeeper Mike Haladin was on hand to thwart them, covering up, as he has done so often this season, any defensive lapses from his teammates. Unfortunately for Haladin, he was helpless to prevent a poor challenge in first half stoppage time that won Temple a penalty of their own. Amar Takhar dispatched the spot kick to half the deficit going into the break. At the start of the second period Abby got back on top and their rediscovered attacking mentality payed dividends with Brady Weir turning home a Kree Byrne cross to restore their two-goal lead. Again however, Temple would not give in, as some poor defending from Abby saw Mudiwa Shoniwa pull the visitors within one once more. It looked set to be a nervy finish but a great dribbling display from Roshan Gosal set up a second goal for Weir in stoppage time to make the points safe. Abbotsford manager Alan Alderson was full of praise for his boys after the win saying that he “loved our start and loved our overall attacking play and the number of high-quality chances we created throughout the game.” He knows that with other results going their way, there is still a chance for this group to do something special this year. “Great to start the new year with three points,” he said, “looking forward to seeing what our large group of young players are going to be able to accomplish this season.” Rajvir Basi played well for Temple in the loss, who continue to fight tooth and nail even as it looks more and more likely that they are destined for a last place finish.
Here’s how the table looks after Week 16:
BROWNS SOCIAL HOUSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
This week’s Brown’s Social House Player of the week is Tyler Epp from Chilliwack FC. Fresh off being named to the FVSL All-Star team, Tyler had another top performance for his Chilliwack side. In addition to his usual top-class defensive work, he also chipped in with a goal, helping his team earn a crucial point in their fight to ensure the have no chance at all of being relegated. Congratulations Tyler, you have won a $25 gift card courtesy of Brown’s Social House!
THIS WEEK’S UPL SCHEDULE
Fri 01/25/2019 8:30PM Langley United vs. Port Moody Gunners Yorkson Turf
Fri 01/25/2019 8:45PM Surrey United vs. Coastal FC Cloverdale Athletic #2
Sat 01/26/2019 6:15PM Temple VAN United vs. Chilliwack FC Hjorth Road #1
Sat 01/26/2019 8:00PM Burnaby Firefighters vs. Abbotsford United Burnaby Lake West #5
One to watch this week is Langley United hosting Port Moody Gunners. The teams come into the game tied for second place, just a point behind defending champions Coastal. With the number of games left on the schedule rapidly running out, neither side can afford to lose any ground in the title chase. Both their previous meetings this season have resulted in draws and that will certainly be the result Coastal will be hoping for again this time around as it would be ideal to see both of their closest challengers drop points in the same week.
There will be no shortage of goal scoring power in this one as Port Moody’s Graeme Meers and Langley’s Connor Hildebrandt are both threats to win the Golden Boot. Given the fire power up front, this game might just come down to which goalkeeper is can make the crucial save at the crucial moment. Both Miguel Hof and Richard Meister for the Gunners are coming off clean sheets in their most recent outings, while Langley’s Andrew Hicks was once more named an All-Star this season and is showing the form that helped carry Langley to the Provincial Cup final last season. This one sets up as real cracker and should give us our first major twist in the title race as we enter the final stretch drive!
Send NEWS to media@fraservalleysoccer.com
And for more information on the FVSL go to fraservalleysoccer.com