The Battle for South Division Bragging Rights:

	P	W	D	L	Points
Richmond Pioneers	14	11	2	1	35
Surrey Classics	14	10	4	0	34

Sunday Feb 13, 2005

Pioneer Machine Needs Oil Change

Richmond Pioneers 2 Carib Islanders 0

The Richmond Pioneers entertained local rivals Carib Islanders on a beautiful sunny day at McMath, and escaped with an ugly 2-0 victory. Whether it's due to over confidence or familiarity on the part of the Pioneers, the Islanders—the South Division cellar dwellers who are still without a win this season—always seem to raise their game and make life difficult for the table-topping Pioneers.

The Pioneers entered the game without midfield maestro Dennis Harvington, apparently under house arrest by the missus. While Harvington was gaining credit points with 'She Who Must be Obeyed', the Pioneers started out like they too were under house arrest, as the Islanders had the Pioneers pinned back in their own half for the first 15 minutes.

Although Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne was kept busy, he was never really tested. The Islanders best chance was a Mike Frey shot that whistled past Byrne's post.

Eventually, the Pioneers started to wake up from their slumber, although the rapidly deteriorating playing surface at McMath was hardly conducive to playing good football on. The Pioneers had a couple of good chances, notably a shot from Evgeni Kushnir that hit the post and agonizingly rolled along the line before being cleared.

Tied 0-0 at the half, the gloves came off in the second half, literally and figuratively. No, there were no fisticuffs—the game was generally a friendly contest—but Jim Fitzgerald symbolically removed the dainty white gloves that had been keeping his digits nice and toasty, and the Pioneers came out within an increased sense of urgency.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Pioneers finally got something right, when a defense splitting pass from Graham Mason sent Ken Johnston through in a footrace against the Carib keeper. Johnston got there first, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home, 1-0 Pioneers.

The opening goal did not open the floodgates, as might have been expected. Instead, the Pioneers had to endure some nerve-racking moments as the Islanders—to their credit—refused to buckle. The closest they came was when second half keeper Dave Valitis pulled off a nice reaction save following a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Only in the closing minutes did the Pioneers add the insurance goal to put the game beyond doubt. In a goal very similar to the first, a great through ball—this time from Ken Swanston—found Kushnir, and the Russian Rocket powered his way past a defender ('flattened' might be more accurate) before hammering the ball home to seal the 2-0 victory.

Kudos to the Islanders for making it a close game right down to the final moments. For the Pioneers, it was another one in the win column, but man was it ugly. The 'well-oiled machine' of last week is in need of a tune-up and oil change.

Man of the Match: Bob Heron had been earmarked as man of the match after another solid, consistent performance at left back, but when Lorne Baumel bought a round of beers after the game, well, sorry Bobby, Lorney pipped you at the post.

Next Week: Away to Peace Arch.

		contact the webmaster