Morning Star Staff
Vernon Kal Tire FC brushed back Lake Country 4-3 in Kelowna Men’s 35+ Soccer League action Monday night at Beasley Park.
The Tiremen (6-1-1) worked the ball up the left side and Ryan Sharp hit a great pass to Jesse Knight, who broke past the defenders and beat the keeper for the winner in the 80th minute.
Kal Tire went into a defensive shell the last 10 minutes and held on tight. Vernon controlled the play for most of the first half. Tyler Johnson opened the scoring on a 23- yard free kick, looking everyone off and using a outside curl to one-time it into the net. About 10 minutes later, Kal Tire crossed a ball that was flick headed on to the foot of Glenn Allan, who one-timed it for a 2-0 lead.
Lake Country responded when all-star James Coball broke through the defence and buried a corker. In the second half, Geoff Straight nailed a sizzling shot that went off the crossbar and in. Lake Country came back hard and netted the next two.
Meanwhile, the Okanagan Spring Camels shut down the Vernon Liquor Store Stallions (formerly Stars) 2-0 in an entertaining clash of local 45+ Titans at Marshall Field #1. The Liquormen enjoyed a couple of early attempts on goal by John Matejicka and dancing fool Paul McArdle.
The Humpbacks picked up pace as the game became a see-saw of chances with Stephen McCourt’s breakaway late in the first half sweetly tipped just wide of the post by Camels’ keeper Dave Dutcher. The second half was no different as both teams wrestled for domination.
The match looked to be heading for a well-deserved tie before Stallion keeper Ted Lurkins was fooled by a 30-yard line-drive knuckler by central midfielder Brian Williamson, in the 78th minute.
“I think the ball knuckled and Ted thought it was going to bounce and it went under his hands and legs,” said Camel veteran Ron Krause. Winger Don Balcombe crossed in a high hopeful ball that looped over Lurkins for insurnace, 10 minutes later.
The Camels improved to 3-3-1, while the Stallions slipped to 4-2-1 in the Capri Insurance League. Wayne Clarke scored twice as RPM Automotive of Rutland grounded the Big O Tire-Turn-Key Controls Ogopogos 4-1 at City Park in Kelowna.
“Hats off to the RPM (3-4) soccer club who played a great passing and enthused game against the shorthanded Ogopogos,” said Big O’s Kerry Zubot. “RPM never let up, or sat back, but kept a consistent attack coming, wearing down our defence.”
Leo Nadeau turned in a marvellous showing at central defender, heroically kicking a ball off the goal-line at the last second. Later in the game, Nadeau pulled his hamstring, joining a growing list of Ogos on the injury list. Bryan Schenker switched to forward in the second half, creating some awesome chances for the 3-4 Ogopogos. He passed a beauty to a wide open Mark Wasylyk for the 1-1 goal.
First-place Penticton United blanked Vernon Bosman Accouting 4-0 at the Barclay’s Premier League-like pitch at Kings Park. Towering defender Brian Johnson used his rock-star hair and great verticle to nod in a Ken Horncastle corner for Penticton’s first goal in the 43rd minute.
Horncastle, Kevin Kothlow and Dave Braumgartner added second-half tallies for 7-0 United, who owned most of the play. Mike Killick made a handful of stops for the clean sheet. Former Vernonite Mike Vandeleest was flawless as referee. Bosman (2-5) got a strong showing from their shot-blocking back line, anchored by Dan Rogers and Glen Verdermen.
Keeper Yogi Kongsdorf made the save of the night by diving to his right on a low scorcher.
In other action, Brandt’s Creek played the defensive trap all night to gain a scoreless draw with the high-scoring Brown Benefits at Parkinson #9 in Kelowna. It was obvious from the kick-off that Brandt’s game-plan was to just park the bus with 10 players behind the ball at all times. Brandt’s didn’t manage a shot on goal and were content to pack the ir stalwart defence. Browns move to 6-0-1 while Brandts go to 3-2-1.
In other games, it was North Country Kickers 3 Pushor Mitchell 0; Rented Mules 2 Cantinas 2; Lake Country 6 Rutland Spirit 0.
