Last updated Mar 21, 2005
The Battle for South Division Bragging Rights:
| P | W | D | L | Points |
| Surrey Classics | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 47 |
| Richmond Pioneers* | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 45 |
**includes 'default' victory against Stingers
Sunday March 20, 2005
Pioneers and Classics Grind out Goalless Draw
Richmond Pioneers 0 Surrey Classics 0
The Richmond Pioneers welcomed the Surrey Classics to Copacabana North on Sunday for their final home game of the season, and the two top teams in the South Division struggled on the now officially terrible playing surface, in the end settling for a 0-0 draw.
The Pioneers entered the game missing four players, including goalie Gary Byrne who failed to recover from his injuries from last week.
The game was a keenly contested affair, but played in a great friendly spirit as these two teams clearly respect each other. The Pioneers created far more chances than the visitors in the first half, putting the much vaunted Classic defence to the test.
A powerful first time shot from Graham Mason from 20 yards out whistled past the Classics upright, and minutes later the Classic's keeper made a fine diving save to deny Ken Johnston who was through one-on-one with just the the keeper to beat. Henry Wan had a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring after beng set up by Stan Bogdanovich, but not realizing the time he had, he pulled his shot inches wide of the post. On another play, a John Murphy shot went agonizingly across the face of the goal, with no one able to get a touch to it.
At the other end, a communication breakdown between Ken Kan and goalie Valitis let a Classic forward through to sneak in a shot that Valitis got a hand on to knock the ball around the post for a corner. That was the only meaningful save Valitis had to make the whole game, as he would have a quieter game than his counterpart at the other end.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second half the Classics enjoyed a spell of pressure, but the Pioneer defence was resolute, with Mike Mogul in particular having a great game in the middle of the backline. John Tsang and the Classic's Bruce Cook both got yellow cards as tempers temporarily boiled over.
Both teams struggled to put passes together, as the conditions were not at all conducive to 'sexy' football. However, the Pioneers looked the most likely to score and the Classics sensed that too, as every two minutes they were asking the referee how much time was left.
Late in the game the Pioneers were denied a blatant penalty, as the Classics Fisher Crockett crudely chopped down Ken Johnston in the penalty area. Even the culprit admitted later, "I had to do it!" The referee (who reminded Gary of 'Kenny' from South Park!) denied the Pioneer claims, saying he didn't want such a great game to be decided by a penalty kick. Johnston suffered a nasty 'Grade 4' ankle sprain from the challenge.
In the dying seconds of the game, the Classics had a chance to steal it, but the attempt to chip the advancing keeper was well wide.
So for the second time this season, these great rivals settled for a draw. The Classics seemed very relieved to get out of this one with their unbeaten streak still intact.
If only we could get to play them on grass...
Man of the Match: Ken Swanston, with honourable mention to Mike Mogul.
Here is a report of the game as seen through blue-tinted glasses.
Next game: Last game of the season away to Polonia
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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
