-submitted by Vince Greco
Well ,could be a quiet weekend pending the accuracy of most weather reports.
Hoping they are all wrong and we are able to get the majority of games in.
We have several Cup competitions going as well as some very important League games to determine the fate of some teams.
The focus will be in Division 1 and 2 – and specifically, which team may earn a BC Soccer Provincial Cup berth as well as which team may finish in the relegation zone for Division 2.
The key matches for Division 1 which have placement implications:
| Saturday, February 24th, 2018 | ||||
| 08:00 PM | Nanaimo United FC – (D1) @ Westcastle United – (D1) | Westhills Stadium | ||
| Sunday, February 25th, 2018 | ||||
| 04:00 PM | Cowichan FC – (D1) @ Vic West FC – (D1) | PISE | ||
Here are the current standings, notice that placement for spots 2 – 6 are still to be determined and the next set of games will provide SOME clarity:
| # | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Diff | Pts |
| 1 | Cowichan FC – (D1) | 17 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 46 | 13 | 33 | 43 |
| 2 | Vic West FC – (D1) | 17 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 48 | 26 | 22 | 34 |
| 3 | Lakehill FC – (D1) | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 30 |
| 4 | Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Gorge FC – (D1) | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 36 | 33 | 3 | 27 |
| 6 | Westcastle United – (D1) | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 29 | 9 | 26 |
| 7 | Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | 18 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 39 | 51 | -12 | 21 |
| 8 | VI Wave – (D1) | 18 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 20 |
| 9 | Comox Valley United – (D1) | 18 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 28 | 45 | -17 | 16 |
| 10 | Vantreights – (D1) | 18 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 71 | -53 | 4 |
*——————————————————————————————————————-
In Division 2, as per usual it seems, it has come down to the final game of the year to determine who will finish in the relegation zone.
Here are the games that will shape the finish of the season:
| Saturday, February 24th, 2018 | ||||
| 05:00 PM | Gorge United FC – (D2) @ Nanaimo United FC – (D2) | Merle Logan Turf | ||
| 06:00 PM | Fred Milne Park Rangers FC – (D2) @ Mid-Isle Mariners – (D2) | Ladysmith Turf | ||
| 06:00 PM | Lakehill – (D2) @ Juan de Fuca – (D2) | Westhills Stadium | ||
| 07:00 PM | Fernwood Town ET Soccer – (D2) @ Prospect Lake Lakers – (D2) | Layritz Turf | ||
| 08:00 PM | SFFC – (D2) @ Vic West Casuals – (D2) | Finlayson Turf | ||
Here are the standings going into the weekend…..as you will notice,
| # | Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Diff | Pts |
| 1 | Lakehill – (D2) | 17 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 40 | 15 | 25 | 41 |
| 2 | Mid-Isle Mariners – (D2) | 16 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 10 | 20 | 34 |
| 3 | Juan de Fuca – (D2) | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 30 |
| 4 | SFFC – (D2) | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 24 | 10 | 29 |
| 5 | Nanaimo United FC – (D2) | 17 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 24 |
| 6 | Fernwood Town ET Soccer – (D2) | 17 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 19 |
| 7 | Gorge United FC – (D2) | 17 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 19 |
| 8 | Vic West Casuals – (D2) | 17 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 20 | 33 | -13 | 19 |
| 9 | Prospect Lake Lakers – (D2) | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 24 | -5 | 17 |
| 10 | Fred Milne Park Rangers FC – (D2) | 16 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 48 | -40 | 3 |
Other than the Mid Isle vs Sooke game, every other game has big implications and there are several ways the finals standings could go.
As per usual, Division 2 offering a dramatic finish to the season.
We hope to get some games in, stay on track scheduling wise, and have plenty of discussion post matches.
Thanks for supporting the members of your community and supporting local soccer.