Depleted Pioneers Conquer Vikings

Richmond Pioneers 2 Surrey Vikings 1

Sunday Oct 18, 2004 - The Richmond Pioneers returned to regular league action after last weekends participation in the Penticton Masters Tournament, and came out 2-1 victors over Surrey Vikings, a scoreline that made the game look closer than it really was.

The tournament took its toll on the Pioneers, with Gary Byrne, Ken Johnston and Ken Kan all unable to play because of injury. Not only that, but the Pioneers were missing five other players, for various reasons.

Although it was a makeshift line-up that faced the Surrey Vikings, it didn't take long for the Pioneers to take the lead. A long punt from goalie Dave Valitas found Eugene Kishmere, who went around the Viking keeper and sidefooted the ball into an empty net.

The Pioneers added a second at the 30 minute mark, when Kishmere set up Ben Fung, who placed his shot nicely in the corner. Fung could have added a third when he was through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but his decision to pass the ball enabled Surrey to recover. On another occasion Kishmere also looked certain to score, but his shot hit the post and was cleared.

It wasn't all one-sided though, as the Vikings were looking dangerous themselves, testing an unfamiliar Pioneer back four and winning a lot of corner kicks in the process. On one occasion, Valitis had to make a fine diving save to keep the scoreline 2-0 at the half.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Vikings pulled a goal back on a soft penalty call, when a Viking player tumbled following the slightest of contact from Tony McBride.

The Pioneers had many chances to put this game way beyond the Vikings reach, but Kishmere was having one of those days, unable to convert any of the many chances that came his way in the second half. In the end the Pioneers nervously hung on the claim the victory.

It wasn't pretty, but considering eight players were missing, it was a welcome win.

Man of the match: Ben Fung.

Next Week: Away to the Carib Islanders, at Burnett School. If the last two encounters are any indication, Robin will no doubt be working the phones trying to bolster his team for the local Richmond derby.

Unbeaten Pioneers take Third Place in Pentiction Tournament

The Richmond Pioneers travelled to Penticton for the Annual Masters tournament, competing against 10 other teams in the Over 50 Division. The Pioneers turned in some good performances, narrowly missing out on a trip to the final, but winning the third place game on penalty kicks. more

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