The Hi-Pro Sportswear Camels FC brushed back host Nation of Domination Eagle Homes 3-2 in North Okanagan Soccer League action Saturday night.
The make-up game pitched the mid-table teams for the first time this season. The Camels (6-6-2) got off to a good start, preventing NOD (7-6-1) from having any sustained possession.
After a number of creative chances, the Camels opened the scoring as Austin Jones skipped past the final defender and beat the keeper with a low shot just inside the left post.
Confidence kept the same pattern of play with NOD only creating a few chances. After hitting the woodwork three times, the Camels picked up a second as Jones converted a penalty kick after he was taken down in the box by the keeper.
NOD did not wilt and came back with a goal just before the half. NOD came out strong after the half and created several chances.
Big Bryn Knopf, Camels’ stand-in keeper, made some great saves, showing good hands after attending basketball camp.
NOD’s pressure created another goal, tying the game, but the Camels did not give up. Some good passing with Khiran O’Neill, Bryan Schenker and Fabrice Fanfani found Jones with a lot to do in the corner.
Jones turned a defender and sent a cross in to the edge of the box and Nick Pantaleo rose to beat the onrushing keeper nodding it over his head and watching the ball bounce into the empty net to restore the lead.
With 15 minutes to go, and with no subs to draw on, the tiring Camels managed to hang on for the victory.
In other rescheduled play, the North Enderby Timber stuffed the host Revelstoke Stallions 5-1 Monday night.
Harminder Sandhu sent a great through ball to Brent Poulsen up the left wing and Poulsen finished short side of the outstretched keeper for the opening NET goal.
Sandhu then spotted a streaking Poulsen with another perfect ball just past the centre line, and Poulsen beat the keeper after sprinting the ball halfway across the pitch.
Colby Buckham then displayed some hard work on the right wing to feed Poulsen, who beat a defender and buried the ball past the keeper, who was distracted by Sandhu streaking to the back post.
The fourth NET tally came when Poulsen carried the ball up the left wing and sent a low, hard pass to Sandhu at the top of the 18. Sandhu, with a nifty ball, found Brodie Couch six yards away and Couch calmly beat the keeper on the sweet three-on-two.
Young Tyler Loose danced around a couple of defenders and sent yet another brilliant ball to Poulsen, who used his blistering speed to beat the helpless defender and hammer the ball home past the keeper.
“That was our most composed game of the year,” said NET veteran Andy Stein. “We travelled with 11 guys and everyone knew their role and knew to not try anything too fancy.
“Chris Ovens and Sean Lister were our anchors at centre mid, but the whole team worked hard from start to finish.
Poulsen’s four-goal effort earned him the La Senza Man of the Match, with honourable mention going to Sandhu for playing a major role in each of the goals.
NET went to 9-3-2, while Revelstoke dipped to 6-4-2.
