With the Richmond Pioneers on a four game winless streak, archrivals New West Regals had every reason to be optimistic that this was their chance to finally defeat the Pioneers (sorry Regals, pre-season friendlies don't count!). However, as they always seem to do in all the 'big' games, the Pioneers rose to the occasion in convincing fashion, coming away with a 2-1 victory.

With the weather causing closure of all official fields in the Lower Mainland following 25 straight days of rain, the game was switched from McMath to the Regals 'alternative' field, which was in remarkable condition in the circumstances.

The game started out at a fast pace, and for the first 15 minutes it was the Pioneers who were controlling most of the play, displaying a sharpness and commitment that has been missing in previous weeks. New West also battled hard, and the Pioneers defence had their hands full when the Regals pushed forward.

Midway through the first half, the Regals took a surprising lead, when the Regals' Kevin Morris finally got the better of Pioneers' left back Bob Heron. Morris's cross found Jimmy Marshall who headed the ball into the net, with the non-communicative Pioneer defenders guilty of ball-watching. 1-0 Regals.

The Pioneers were creating some decent chances at the other end, and just before half time, Dennis Luk missed a glorious chance to tie it up.

After some tactical adjustments at half time, Ken Johnston was back in his more familiar role as striker, as the Pioneers battled to get back in this tensely fought game.

Denis Harvington was having one of his better games working tirelessly in the Pioneers midfield, and up front Evgeni Kushnir was creating havoc whenever he had the ball.

The Pioneers' endeavor finally paid off when a perfect cross by Johnston from the right wing found Dennis Luk waiting at the far post to head the ball home.

Tied 1-1, the game opened up as both teams went for the winner. Chances were being created at both ends and the game could have gone either way. For the Pioneers, Kushnir missed a clear header from close range, and keeper Dave Valitis had to be alert to save a powerful long range shot from the Regals that was destined for the top corner.

Just as the game looked like it was heading for a 1-1 tie, with 5 minutes left to play the Regals had a great chance to steal victory when Kevin Morris found himself in acres of space as he closed in on the Pioneer goal, with Jim Fitzgerald the lone defender in his way. Instead of taking him on, Morris attempted a shot on goal from 15 yards out, but Fitzgerald turned and blocked the shot with his, umm, ample 'buttocks', deflecting the ball for a corner kick.

Naturally, the unorthodox game-saving block made Fitzgerald the 'butt' of the jokes back at the Pioneer Pub and inevitably, over a few beers, a new nickname was born: the 'Assman'. And anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of a tackle from the grunting Irishman will agree, a more appropriate nickname you will never find.

But I digress. In 'hindsight' (ouch, sorry about that) the Assman's block was a turning point in the game. Just minutes later, with the clock running down, the Pioneers delivered the killer blow.

After the referee missed a blatant hand ball by Ken Swanston, the Pioneers moved the ball quickly downfield. A pinpoint cross from John Murphy found Ken Johnston, who's looping header dropped in just under the crossbar, for a stunning late winner.

Upset at the non-call from the official, there was little time left for the Regals to counter, and the final whistle blew on a famous 2-1 victory for the resurgent Pioneers.

Back at the Pub, coach Mike Mogul—who only last week had been given the ominous 'vote of confidence'—was relieved that his job was safe for at least another week, claiming that this would prove to be a turning point in the Pioneers' season. And not surprisingly, Jim 'the Assman' Fitzgerald was eager to show the Adidas logo still emblazoned on his rosy rump from when he turned the other cheek, so to speak. But to everyone's great relief, modesty prevailed.

Man of the Match: Ken Johnston, with honorable mention to—you guessed it—the Assman.