An exciting weekend ahead as the top 2 divisions of amateur soccer on the Island focus in on the 105 year old trophy – the Sir John Jackson Cup.
We enter the round of 16, and here is how the draw is working out after the play in round was completed last week:
-Friday night gets started with an all division 2 matchup between Lakehill and Prospect Lake at Braefoot.
While Lakehill is in the upper half, Prospect Lake is near the bottom – but that will not mean much as the Lakers of Prospect Lake have been in many a matches this year.
-On the other side of the draw, another all division 2 matchup as Fernwood travel to Hampton Park to face off against Gorge.
No doubt Gorge has been streaking of late, and the Fernwood team has been very Jekyll and Hyde like.
This has the makings of quite the game.
-Friday night will also have a duel that could have easily been the final as Div 1 champion Lakehill will travel the Malahat to visit their Cowichan friends at Sherman Rd Turf.
Lakehill has defeated the 5 time league champion and multiple Jackson Cup winning squad on both occasions this year.
This should prove to be an exciting match as both teams are involved in this “bracket of death” portion of the tournament.
-Saturday will see the other bracket of death battle as division 2 champion Comox Valley Utd come all the way south island to renew friendships with Gorge of division 1.
If Comox travel with a full squad, this will be a great match. Gorge has been coming down the last few weeks, so they will need to be ready for the north islanders.
-On the other side of the draw, Westcastle will travel up to Ladysmith to face Mid Isle.
Mid Isle will need a special effort to beat the young squad, and they would shock the Island if that happened.
They do not want their season to end, but are up against a tough challenge. They will come out swinging.
-Also on Saturday, Nanaimo of division 1 will host Saanich Fusion of division 2.
Nanaimo is coming off a solid win against Bays division 1, and have had a new resurgence within the last month.
They will be tough to beat, and travel will be a big question for the Gordon Head lads.
-Saturdays last game of the draw will feature an all division 1 matchup that sees the oldest club in Victoria head to Powell River to face the Villa.
Taking you back to the 90’s, these 2 clubs share a long history of battles. All one has to do is look in their respective clubhouse trophy cabinets to see what this matchup means to them.
Vic West will have their hands full as Powell River will be hungry to give their fans another home game.
-Sunday will just have the 1 game, and it will be the Victoria Highlanders hosting Bays Utd in an all division 2 battle.
Highlanders finished 2nd in the standings and should have little problem with the Greens – or so one would think. But the squad that finished last has a lot of fight and can play. This will be an interesting game as well.
16 Teams in eight games, will take us down to the quarter finals next week – which will then just have 8 teams.
All teams with 1 goal, hoisting the most prestigious sterling silver trophy on the Island.
The picture will become a little more clear come Sunday night.
See you at the pitch, supporting local players, and local grass roots soccer.
Vince Greco
VISL Executive Director