Richmond Pioneers travelled to Langley and had the rare experience of playing a game on two different surfaces. Undaunted, the Pioneers demolished First Capital 8-1, with Evgeni Kushnir scoring four.

The game was scheduled for the sodden Ron Ralph (grass) Park but with the adjacent artificial field thought to be unused, the match kicked off on the plastic field. After a pretty even opening ten minutes, the Pioneers struck first on a fine solo effort from Evgeni Kushnir. Kushnir scored again minutes later, this time Danny Lazar setting him up.

Returning to the action following an uncharacteristic 10 minute 'cooling off' period, Graham Mason's corner kick was headed home by Danny Lazar, and the Pioneers were now 3-0 up. Lazar's goal continued his record of scoring in every game he has played in this season.

First Capital missed a great chance to reduce the deficit when Mike Mogul was adjudged to have fouled a Capital forward in the penalty area, but the penalty kick was weaker than a BC Place beer, and Pioneer goalie Gary Byrne saved comfortably.

With two other teams readying themselves on the sidelines for a scheduled 11am game on the turf, the second half was moved over to the muddy, small, grass field. The radically different field conditions seemed initially to favour the home side, who started the half earnestly and were rewarded when a right wing cross was sweetly volleyed home from close range at the far post.

However, the Pioneers restored their lead when another Mason corner kick was headed home by Jim Fitzgerald, a carbon-copy of the goal last week that broke Surrey Classic's heart. The 'reborn' full back has now scored three goals in four games, delighted at being "let out of the cage", as he puts it.

The goal opened the floodgates for the Pioneers, and they added a fifth when a wonderful pass from John Tsang put Ken Johnston through on goal, his deft chip leaving the keeper with no chance. Danny Lazar scored his second of the game, and Evgeni Kushnir completed his hat-trick to take the tally to seven.

In the very last play of the game, Jim Langlans and Kushnir teased the Capital defence, exchanging so many passes it was like watching Wimbledon, before Kushnir finished off the move with his fourth of the game, and number eight for the Pioneers.

Although comprehensively beaten, First Capital deserve credit for their positive approach, always pushing forward and for not letting their heads drop despite the goals going in at the other end.

For the Pioneers, it was their highest single game goal ouput since the 2002/3 season, when they scored eight or more a total of four times.