Alves Bros FC isn’t much into sharing when it comes to men’s soccer titles in the Okanagan.
For the fourth straight season, Alves Bros are the Royal Cup champs, emblematic of soccer supremacy in the valley. And for the second year in a row, they are also the Kelowna Men’s Soccer League champs.
Alves secured the two titles on consecutive days last weekend at the Mission Sports Fields.
• KMSL
On Saturday, Alves Bros. defeated Modern Furniture Pikeys 2-1 in the KMSL Div. 1/2 final.
In the first half, Alves’ Michael De Melo swung a nice cross in for Morgan Marrs to head down Alves’ first goal of the game.
Still in the first half, Jordan Hesketh intercepted a wayward pass through the middle of the field at the half way line. He would make a surging run forward before finding Marrs for his second of the game after depositing it past a helpless Jason Lukkarinen.
Pikey’s would not go away, however, and started their comeback quickly later on in the first half.
After a bit of a scramble near the Alves goal, Matt Reese got onto the backside of the Alves defensive line and slotted one past Alves’ keeper, Todd Swaby. Half time would arrive and a pause in the action.
Scoring chances in the second half were few and far between.
After being awarded a corner from one of the counter attacks, Alves’ Kirby Carter was taken down in the area and awarded a penalty kick. Marrs would step up hoping to seal the victory and a playoff final hat-trick, but would miss just slightly.
With about 10 minutes left, Pikey’s grew frustrated as they could not gain possession, leading to a second yellow card for Pikey’s Kyle Logan and a sending off.
Alves hung on for one goal victory and their second straight KMSL title.
• Royal Cup
In their second game in less than 24 hours, Alves took care of Carleton Athletic in the Royal Cup final on Sunday morning with a 2-0 victory.
There was some good work by Braden Peters down the left side leading up to the goal, as the ball came out to Nich Johansen at the top of the penalty area. He eluded one defender and struck the ball with his left foot into the bottom right corner to open the scoring.
Carleton made a bit of a push in the second half, but could not penetrate the Alves Bros defensive line to get a clean cut chance.
With the minutes ticking down and Carleton pushing players forward for the equalizer, Alex Thompson picked up the ball and made a charging run into the Carleton penalty area.
A late challenge by the Carleton defender left the referee no choice but to award a penalty kick. Thompson would step up and smash home the spot kick and gives Alves Bros the 2-0 lead.
From there, Carleton grew on tired legs and referee blew the whistle to end the game.
• Over 35 final
Alves was just one goal shy of completing the championship hat-trick, but fell 4-3 in extra time Sunday to Vernon’s Kal Tire in the KMSL over 35 final.
In the second period of extra time, about 10 minutes in, Jeff Nice stole the ball and finished with the winning goal.
Jeremy Luypen, Dave Crawford and an own goal replied for Alves Bros.
