VISL Division 1 league play is approaching, the dreaded week 13. It could be a weekend that shatters dreams, or gets teams one step closer to achieving success.
Here is what the top flight has in store for the weekend……with all fixtures taking place on Saturday night.
-Out of the gate, a match at Timberlane park as Powell River Villa host the Bays Utd club.
As noted by many teams this year, travel is always a factor, and Powell River will look to take advantage of that as they have their community to support them in a tough match.
They will need a special effort to get past the squad from the Municipality of Oak Bay, while the South Island Boys will need to make sure they do not take a game off.
-Saturday will also see a rare match right next to the Q Center, and on grass as Juan De Fuca hosts Vic West.
JDF will look for a win so they can have some breathing room from the relegation zone.
Vic West will look to get back on the winning side of things to close out 2019.
-As the evening time rolls around, it will be the battle of the Reds as Nanaimo host Lakehill at Merle Logan turf field.
Lakehill will look to stay in 1st place and build their buffer zone as teams are coming after them.
Nanaimo – can they get out of the relegation zone and turn around their dismal year? You would think they can and should be much higher in the standings.
-Also in the mid-island area, the struggling Mid Isle Mariners will be hosting their rivals Cowichan
Mid Isle is in dead last, and will look to squash Cowichan’s hopes in achieving their record tying 6th Garrison Cup in a row.
The squad from Duncan will look to build on their solid effort last weekend.
-Then, to wrap up our weekend, it is the Game Of The Week.
Westcastle will host Gorge in a battle of undefeated teams on Saturday night at Westhills.
This match could go so many different ways, but we know the result will play a HUGE roll in what happens for the rest of the divisional standings. Both teams are coming off wins, that will not be the case after this weekend is all said and done.
Xmas may come early for one of these teams……
A reminder, here are the standings going into the weekend.
The bottom 5 will still be there after the weekend, as will the top 5 be in the upper half.
What we do not know in either half – what will the placements be?
A good weekend to see some local soccer action.
Bundle up, hope to see you supporting your local friends, family, and soccer players.
Vince Greco
VISL Executive Director