What an exciting weekend in VISL Jackson Cup 1/4 Final action!
We now have semi final games all set up, here is how it came to be.
Friday Night started off with the Game Of The Week as Bays United Div 1 hosted Cowichan Div 1.
Bays won the game by score of 4-2 – the first time they have beaten Cowichan this year.
The game had several great goals, one being noted as potential goal of the year. (Alex Redpath)
Bays goals started with the beauty from Alex Redpath at 13′, Justin Donaldson (who was named Man of the match) scored at 24′ and 29′, while Adam Ravenhill rounded out the Bays scoring at 50′.
The Cowichan goals, a beauty by Craig Gorman at 18′, and an Own Goal at 89′ as a Bays defender picked out his own corner accidentally.
An exciting match with some solid tackles, the previously mentioned beautiful goals, and end to end action.
Also on Friday night, the battle of Saanich as Gorge FC hosted Lakehill FC at Hampton Park.
The game needed extra time, and eventually was won by Gorge with a 2-1 score over Lakehill.
The game itself was an odd one.
Lakehill was moments away from winning the game as they were up a goal. But somehow, like the Provincial Cup Final last year that saw a VMSL team defeat a FVSL team in the dying moments – the equalizer was scored sending the game into Extra Time.
Gorge completed the comeback by scoring in Extra Time and knocking out their cross town rivals.
Lakehill goal was scored by Daniel Roke at 56′.
Gorge goals – by Anton Bucher at 90′, and Dominic Colantonio at 112′.
Saturday night had the Division 2 Gorge Utd team host the sizzling hot Comox Valley team from Div 1.
Both teams were on the upward swing, especially Comox who started out the campaign in horrific fashion, but have had a remarkable 2019.
They kept the streak going as Comox defeated Gorge Utd by score of 3-0.
Scoring for Comox was Grayson Chalifoux at 40′, Joe Butcher at 55′, and Nick Marinus at 76′.
Earning the shutout for Comox was permitted youth player, Diego Alvarez.
The final game of the weekend had Westcastle of Div 1 hosting Powell River of Div 2. Westcastle being the victors; 2-0 over Powell River. Both teams are near the top of their respective divisions, and this was an interesting game to take in.
Powell River came into town and had the gameplan of defend defend defend. No doubt they were trying to keep the young Westcastle squad contained as they were heavily loaded on the backline and only went forward on occasion.
Westcastle looked to be stymied, but their constant pressure and patience paid off as they finally scored minuted before the game came to a finish.
Alec-Michael Petrizzi scored at 87′, while standout player and Division 1 MVP candidate Joshua Walter closed things off at 89′.
Powell River did come ever so close to scoring on a couple occasions, earning the shutout for Westcastle was Sachdev Grewal.
So now the semi finals are set, and here is what the bracket looks like after this weekend of play:
Westcastle to host Comox on Saturday March 16, a 6 PM kickoff at Finlayson.
Gorge FC to host Bays United on Friday march 15, 8 PM kickoff at Hampton.
Thanks for supporting local amateur soccer at the grass roots level.
Vince Greco
VISL Executive Director