Feb 15, 2004 Pioneers Master Dutch
Richmond Pioneers 4 Dutch Masters 1
The Richmond Pioneers faced a Dutch Masters team that was a much stronger team than the one the Pioneers used as shooting practice a year ago. In fact, it was only in the latter stages of the game when the Pioneers were able to pull away and seal the victory, by a 4-1 scoreline.
In an all-too-familiar refrain, the Pioneers conceded the first goal. A nice cross from the right wing was met with a powerful, well placed header by the Dutch forward. No chance for Pioneer goalie Gary Byrne.
The Dutch were proving to be competent outfit, with a lot of hustle. Nevertheless, the Pioneers— who, with 4 absentees, had to scramble to put 11 players onto the field—gradually settled down and tied the game up midway through the half on a Eugene Kishmere penalty, after Kishmere himself had been pulled down in the area.
The half time break came with the game deadlocked at 1-1.
As the second half went on, the Pioneers started to exert more pressure and should have scored on two occasions, once when Graham Mason broke through only to scuff his shot, and again when a point blank header by Ken Johnston from a Denis Harvington corner kick was directed straight to the Dutch keeper.
The turning point came midway through the second half when a searing 30 yard drive from Denis Harvington found the top corner of the net, and the Pioneers had the lead they so richly deserved.
The goal seemed to deflate the Dutch Masters, and a third came soon afterwards, when a partially-blocked Graham Mason shot trickled over the line. With five minutes to go, Pioneer ace Ken Johnston kept his personal scoring streak alive (now at eight games), placing a shot in off the far post, and the Pioneers had the comfort of a three goal lead.
A couple of anxious moments happened in the Pioneers end—including a free kick awarded right on the edge of the penalty area—but the defence held firm and the 4-1 victory was preserved.
Man of the Match: Denis Harvington, with honourable mention to Gordie Graham.
Next Week: The planned road trip to Mission has been changed, to the great relief of the flu prone Jimmy Fitz. Instead, we play Richmond Cosmos again, this time at Burnett School.
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- Based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, the Pioneers play in the Over 50 Division of the BCOTS (BC Old Timers Soccer League). The league has over 40 teams from all over the Lower Mainland region
