Vernon Kal Tire flirted with danger by pulling out a 2-1 win in penalties over last-place Kelowna Select Your Tickets in Kelowna Tree Brewing Men’s 35+ Soccer League quarterfinal action Thursday Night at MacDonald Park.
The Tiremen came out strong early when veteran forward Bryan Schenker showed why he can still hang with the young boys and skinned a defender and beat the keeper with a low shot.
Play then went back and forth for most of the night and league champion Kal Tire (15-3-3) looked flat. At about 25 minutes, Select Your Tickets (4-13-4) equalized on what looked like an offside play.
Chances were had by both sides in the remaining time, but regulation ended square.
The game changer was Kal Tire Man of the Match Iain Butler, who after getting his hand on two penalty shots, stopped the fourth shot and then buried the winner.
Next up for Kal Tire is Penticton Pinnacles in a Thursday, Sept. 10 semifinal (7 p.m.) at Beasley Park in Lake Country.
Penticton finished fifth at 9-10-2 but got by fourth-place Enco/Executive Flooring (11-10) in their quarterfinal match Thursday night.
In Okanagan 55+ action, Mahmoud Abdel-Kader and Rob Ross handled the offence as the Silver Stars bounced Brandt’s Creek 2-0.
The Stars improved to 12-5, while the Pubbers dipped to 8-10-1. Vernon Kal Tire had a bye.
Host Penticton TC Auto stopped Kelowna #1 4-1 under the lights at Kings Park.
Daryl Pace converted a rocket shot within five minutes for Penticton. Peter Toth set up Pace for his second goal, while Toth recorded the third top shelf and then completed the scoring by putting a free kick in off a defender.
A nice combination by Kelowna resulted in a late goal by Joe Jameson.
The Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ League is replaying games cancelled due to smoke a few weeks ago this Monday night.
In Vernon, the Silver Stars battle North Country Appraisals Kickers in A side action at Marshall #1 (6:15 p.m.), while Bosman Accounting tangles with the Rented Mules in a B side match at Marshall #2.
The Okanagan Spring Camels face Penticton United at Kings Park, while Turn-Key Controls of Vernon battles Rutland Spirit at Beasley Park.
