Two of three Vernon teams seeking a playoff berth recorded clutch wins Monday night in Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ Soccer League action.
Big O Tire/Turn-Key Controls Ogopogos shelled the Rutland Spirit 7-0 at Marshall Field #1, while Bosman Accounting doubled Taco Time Cantinas 4-2 at Rutland Sports Field #4.
The Ogos and Bosman meet Monday night at Marshall #2 in a showdown which will help decide the final three post-season spots.
Ageless midfielder Brad Conlin scored twice to take the Red Robin Man of the Match for Big O Tire (7-9-1). Conlin converted a penalty kick in the first half and later buried a blast from inside the 18.
Nolan Clark scored off a deflection after the Rutland keeper saved a penalty shot by Volker Otto, while John Garner connected after a beautiful pass back from Roland Riedstra.
Riedstra put one in off his chest from a shot by Clark, while Mark Wasylyk deked a number of defenders to open up space for himself for a goal. Rutland dipped to 1-16. Bryan Cope recorded the shutout, making a great last-minute breakaway save.
Central midfielder Remco Wijnhorst used some quick turns to surprise the Cantina keeper twice and earn Burger King Man of the Match for Bosman (6-7-4).
Cantinas took an early lead off a free kick, but Rob Ross equalized early in the second half after a fabulous turn, run and cross from the left corner by Mark Sladen.
Red-hot James Cotter left-footed in the rebound clincher after Henk Bosman’s corker was stopped by the keeper.
Defenders Kilmer Hagen and Alex Deboersap and midfielder Erick Burnet enjoyed marvellous showings for Bosman.
The freefalling Vernon Liquor Store Stallions blew a 3-1 lead and lost 6-3 to the Lake Country Lakers at Beasley Park.
Goals by Andrew Whiston, Art Renaud, and John Matejicka put the Stallions up 3-1 at half time. Lake Country came storming back in the second half pressuring the Stallions relentlessly. Goals by Steve Cox, Graeme Jenkins, Neil MacNeil, Chris Purnell and two by Sammi Kimpian finished the comeback.
Lake Country improved to 8-4-5, while the Stallions, who meet second-place Browns Benefits next week, dropped to 7-8-2 and in deep danger of missing the playoffs.
The Interior Appliance Man of the Match for the Stallions was keeper Ted Lurkins, who turned his back on a shot from gimme range and had the ball go up his butt, back and neck before sailing over the crossbar.
Brandt’s Creek shut down RPM Automotive 4-0 at Parkinson #16 Field to move into a share of seventh place with the Stallions. Big O Tire and Bosman are one point back of both teams.
Pushor Mitchell’s slim playoff hopes were dashed as the Rented Mules, mathematically eliminated in early May, held on for a 3-2 win at Parkinson #14.
Izaak Michaeli, Al Ryder, sent through on a breakaway by Grant Turik and beat his cousin Rick Ito in the Pushor goal, and Fred Vandergaag, with his first of the year after an excellent pass from Turik, handled the Mules’ offence.
Browns won a 1-0 forfeit when the Okanagan Spring Brewery Camels couldn’t field 11 players.
North Country Appraisals Kickers battled first-place Penticton Dental Clinic United to a 1-1 draw at Kelowna’s Mission #11 Sports Field.
The game was scoreless at the half as Penticton had most of the play but 11-5-1 North Country keeper Dave Gadd had one of his best games of the season with numerous outstanding saves.
Penticton (14-0-3) grabbed the lead with about 20 minutes to play when Ken Horncastle scored during a wild scramble following a corner. North Country then began to press and were rewarded with a free kick from about 25 yards.
Kelly Beauchamp stepped up and blasted it into the top corner leaving Penticton keeper Mike Killick with no chance.
