Battle of the Titans Ends in Stalemate

Richmond Pioneers 2 BC Transit 2

The much anticipated duel between the two teams with the longest unbeaten streaks ended up a 2-2 draw, as the Richmond Pioneers surrendered a two goal first half lead against BC Transit. With the Pioneers 27 game unbeaten streak on the line—and BC Transit claiming to have an even longer streak going—the match had a cup tie atmosphere right from the opening kick off.

BC Transit pressured the Pioneers from the start and forced a few early corner kicks, but the Pioneers held firm and weathered the early storm. The Pioneers struck first when a long pass from Jim Fitzgerald released Eugene Kishmere, who unselfishly passed to Ken Johnston, and the Pioneers leading marksman made no mistake to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.

The Johnston/Kishmere tandem were proving to be difficult for Transit to contain, and Kishmere almost added a second, only to see his shot hit the post. Midway through the opening half, Transit had a great chance to tie it up when referee Jimmy Somerville inexplicably failed to call a blatant offside, but Pioneer goalie Gary Byrne bravely dived at the feet of the Transit forward, and Fitzgerald came in clear the rebound.

Soon afterward, the Pioneers went two up when a sloppy clearance from the Transit keeper was pumped back into the area by Graham Mason, and Johnston set up Kishmere who first-timed a scorching left-footed volley into the net to give the Pioneers a 2-0 margin.

Transit came close on a couple of long range efforts, with one shot hitting the outside of the post, and Byrne tipped another over the bar. Kishmere and Johnston continued to torment the Transit defence, and the Pioneers came close to making it 3-0 when another Kishmere shot hit the post.

The second half saw Transit push forward relentlessly trying to find a way through the Pioneers defence, which was holding firm. The Pioneers were missing the midfield artistry of the Vegas-bound Denis Harvington, and were outmanned against a strong Transit midfield. At the 65 minute mark, Transit pulled a goal back with a wonderfully struck volley from the edge of the area that went in off the post.

Generally, Transit were being restricted to long range efforts as they pushed for an equalizer, and with 8 minutes to go, they tied the game up when Bryne mishandled a shot from 25 yards. It was the only blemish on an otherwise solid performance from the Pioneer goalie.

At the end of the day, the final scoreline was a fair reflection of the game - a game of two halves.

Man of the Match: Jim Fitzgerald—who wants all to know he is officially over the 'Aldergrove Flu'— with honourable mention to goalie Gary Byrne.

Please note: Although the webmaster wholeheartedly encourages any attempt to infuence his match reports by being supplied with post-game beverages—and fully encourages teammates to feel free to participate in any such activity—his journalistic integrity cannot be bought. Seriously swayed maybe, but not bought.

Next Week: The Battle of the Websites, part two. A trip to Newton to play Surrey Classics, another unbeaten team.

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