Morning Star Staff
Brown Benefits of Kelowna used to hold stat nights when they played shortstaffed Bosman Accounting in the Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ Soccer League. Not anymore.
The undefeated Browns came from behind to clip much-improved Bosman 3-2 Monday night at Marshall Field #4. Sleeman’s Man of the Match for Vernon was defender Danny Pawsey, who did not let roadrunner Tony Gonzales cause any danger.
Bosman opened the scoring when David Howes was allowed time and space to fire a great shot into the top corner at five minutes. Howes had another goal disallowed later.
Browns (6-0) controlled most of the play for the remainder of the half but only managed one goal when Jim Kruiper scored from close range just before the break.
Bosman keeper Yogi Kongsdorf made several huge saves to keep the game tied. Only minutes into the second half, Gerard Geelkerken sprung the offside trap and rounded keeper Steven Heiss to score into the empty net, giving the Vernon lads a 2-1 lead.
Browns’ pressure finally paid off when Kruiper was fouled at the top of the 1-5 Bosman box and Grant Campbell’s quick, looping free kick was headed into the net by a defender with 15 minutes left. Five minutes later, Steve Fagan took a shot from 20 yards but a Bosman defender handled the ball, resulting in a penalty shot that was converted by Darryl Hazell. Bosman had one last chance in the dying moments but Heiss made a good save.
The Mission Cleaners clipped the Okanagan Spring Brewery Camels 2-1 at Parkinson #9.
Marty Steele of the Humpbacks just missed on an early breakaway, losing control of the ball as the keeper charged his way. The Cleaners converted in the 38th minute on a scramble.
Johnny Orton stripped a Mission defender of the ball and fed Steele for the equalizer three minutes into the second half. The Cleaners netted the winner in the 70th minute on a cheeky back-heel shot which fooled Dave Dutcher.
Red Robin Man of the Match for the Camels was central fullback Ian Butler.
The Turn-Key Oogogos defaulted to Penticton.
