Pioneers Poles Apart

Polonia 2 Richmond Pioneers 1

As the weather played havoc with the weekend soccer games, the Pioneers benefited from a last minute reshuffling of the 2006 schedule by the league as they traveled to Cloverdale to play Polonia on the artificial turf. Unlike the corresponding fixture last year when the Pioneers cruised to a 6-2 victory, these are different times for the Pioneers, as the Poles pulled off a 2-1 victory over their lethargic visitors.

In the early going the Pioneers struggled to establish any kind of rhythm against a Polonia team that was hustling and causing a myriad of unforced errors from the disjointed Pioneers. After soaking up a lot of pressure, the Pioneers had a couple of opportunities. Most notably, a long throw from Ken Swanston sent Graham Mason through on goal. Instead of shooting himself, Mason teed up Ken Johnston, whose shot from 10 yards out went straight at the Polish keeper.

Polonia opened the scoring when some indecisive defending lead to a cross from the right wing which Pioneer keeper Dave Valitis failed to hold, and a Polonia forward was on the spot to tap the ball home. The Pioneers tied the game up when a short corner kick enabled Ken Kan to float the ball in from the right wing, deceiving the goalie and headed into the net by a Polonia defender for an own goal.

All tied at the half, neither team could claim to have the upper hand in the second half, although Valitis in the Pioneer goal was the busier of the two keepers. Midway through the second half, Polonia took a 2-1 lead following a terrible refereeing decision. Although Kan was guilty of taking too long to clear the ball, he was unceremoniously bowled over by a Polonia forward, who went through alone with just Valitis to beat. The Pioneers were dumbfounded that the referee had let the play go on with no whistle.

The Pioneers best chance to tie it up came when Stan Bogdanovich nicely set up Mason, whose unconvincing shot was parried yet bobbled dangerously close to the goal line, with John Tsang and Johnston both unable to apply the coup de grace.

That was as close as the Pioneers got. A deeply disappointing performance from a team that has gone into a rapid decline, from being a genuine powerhouse to becoming an embarrassing, run-of-the-mill team.

In desperation, the 'unlucky' white shirts have been retired, and after the game manager Mike Mogul was given the dreaded 'vote of confidence'. Troubled times indeed at the Pioneer Pub.

Next Sunday: After rain for something like 24 days straight, it is unlikely that this weekend's eagerly anticipated game against the New West Regals will be played. But stay tuned.

		contact the webmaster