Vernon Kal Tire brushed back the Vernon Stars 3-2 as the Okanagan Oldtimers 50+ Soccer League season opened under chilly skies Thursday night at Marshall Field #3.
Sleeman’s Man of the Match Dave Gould scored the winner just seconds before referee Mike Zuber blew the final whistle.
Jenne Huberts fed a pass to Kevin Mitchell, who in turn sent a ball over a defender to a streaking Gould, who despite being held by one arm, managed to strike the ball past keeper Ray Tims.
The Stars held a 1-0 lead at the half after midfielder Dick Markin – Dairy Queen Man of the Match – blasted a seeing-eye shot through a dysfunctional Kal Tire wall on a free kick from 20 yards out. Keeper George Weiher had no chance on the rocket.
Ageless midfielder Denis Chabot equalized early in the second half when he one-timed a corner by Gould.
The Stars went ahead when Ken James neatly headed a Mark Hopkins’ 27-yard free kick from the left side past a diving Weiher.
Defender Gordie Campbell picked up a loose ball, and while the Stars stood around waiting to set up a free kick which had already been put into play, rushed about 40 yards downfield, taking on a few defenders before dishing off to Mitchell.
Mitchell broke in from 30 yards on a semi breakaway and buried a shot to the top left corner past a startled Tims.
