Richmond Pioneers 4 Stingers 2
Sunday Nov 21, 2004 - The Richmond Pioneers entertained Stingers at McMath on Sunday, and enjoyed a relatively comfortable 4-2 victory, with all six goals coming in the action packed first half.
The Stingers entered the game missing a number of key players through injury, while the Pioneers were almost back to full strength, following the welcome return of striker Eugene Kishmere.
It didn't take Kishmere long to get back into his rhythm, and the opening goal was a typical Kishmere effort, as he powered his way through the Stinger defence and although the keeper made a nice initial save, the 'Russian Rocket' persevered and made the rebound his for the opening goal.
The second goal came when a Graham Mason pass sent Ken Johnston through one on one with the keeper, and the Pioneers' top goalscorer made no mistake.
Unfortunately, a two goal lead usually signals that the Pioneers relax into an ill-advised comfort zone, and predictably—and not for the first time this season—they were made to pay for their complacency.
The Pioneers defence momentarily lost their shape, and a ball put in from the right wing found Stingers Eric Errington all alone 20 yards from goal, and his well placed shot left Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne with no chance. Not long afterwards, the Pioneer defence was caught again, this time expecting an offside call that never came, and it was suddenly a 2-2 game.
The goals were coming thick and fast, and the Stingers defence decided to get into the Christmas spirit early, gifting the ball to Ken Johnston, and he took his chance nicely for his second goal and a 3-2 Pioneer lead.
Henry Wan was having a great game in the Pioneer midfield, getting back to help defensively when needed, and making some good runs offensively, and he deservedly got on the scoresheet to make it 4-2 after being set up by Kishmere.
Maybe sensing a second half onslaught, the Stingers made some strategic changes to shore up their back line, thereby restricting their options going forward. Although the Pioneers had a number of clear chances to increase their lead—with Mason and John Tsang the most profligate—the game wound down with no more goals to be had, and the whistle blew for a comfortable 4-2 victory for the Pioneers.
Man of the match: Henry Wan, with Ken Johnston and Denis Harvington 2nd and 3rd stars repectively.
Next Week: Away to Surrey Classics. Car poolers can meet at the Pioneer Pub around 8:45.
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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
