Morning Star Staff
A showdown on a sun-drenched Thursday night settled nothing between Vernon Kal Tire and Lake Country Tree Brewing at Marshall Field #1.
The first-place Tiremen (11-1-1) blew a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 with the second-rated Brewers (9-2-2) in Kelowna Tree Brewing Men’s 35+ Soccer League action.
Jesse Knight opened the scoring early when he broke in around a couple defenders and finished a low shot for his 12th snipe of the season.
About 10 minutes later, Glenn Allan dished to Rodney Goodchild, who crossed to Darren Nobrega, who was taken down near the back post. Slick Ryan Sharp stepped up and buried the penalty low left for the 2-0 lead.
With a few minutes to go in the half, Lake Country converted when Kal Tire defenders were unable to clear and keeper Ian Butler mis-timed a sprawl for the ball that got poked in the net.
Lake Country capitalized near the 70th minute with pressure off a Kal Tire goal kick. A Laker forward swiped the kick and buried a great shot giving Butler no chance.
Kal Tire pressed after that with at least a half dozen chances that either slightly missed or were turned away by the keeper.
Meanwhile, Brandt’s Creek Pub shaded Vernon Kal Tire 2-1 in men’s 55+ play Thursday night at Marshall Field #2.
Central midfielder Glen Heagle of the Pubbers caught keeper and birthday boy Pete (The Heat) Richter off his line with a cheeky chip shot from 25 yards out in the fifth minute.
The Tiremen levelled the score at 34 minutes when strikers Mark DeVolder and Kevin Mitchell worked a give-and-go with Mitchell’s slow change-up curling like a comma into the top corner. The shot mesmerized keeper Todd Ryder, putting him in a brief deep coma.
Shortly after, Brandt’s moved into the deep right corner where Richter and fullback Erv Schuur got their signals crossed and gave up the ball which ended up on the other side of the pitch. Defensive-minded left fullback Johnny Allen nailed a 27-yard corker into the empty net and celebrated his rare feat in lottery-like fashion.
Brandt’s moved to 6-5-1, while Kal Tire, who had 21 players, fell to 6-2-2.
Penticton United doubled the Vernon Stars 4-2 with Steve McCourt connecting on a 30 yarder in his debut and Colin Greveling finishing a unique right-footed tap in for the Stars (6-4). Penticton is 8-2-2.
The Adventure Bay Sistas stopped Centerline Attack 3-1 in Division 2 women’s action Thursday night at Marshall #4.
Diane Neudorf belted one home in the early minutes on a precision cross from Sarah Croken, who had to leave halfway through the match with an injury. The Attack tied it up near the end of the half when Shelby Fisher, who worked hard with multiple runs down the line and shots on net, got a well-deserved goal after some constant pressure.
In the second half, with no subs in the scorching heat, Sistas came out strong with another quick goal as Kim Sylvester fed the ball up the line to Neudorf, who shot high and hard, catching Attack keeper Peggy Schepp too far out to reach the ball.
Becky Birbilis ran from defence up the middle, deking and dodging until she got to within shooting range and then fired one off, deflecting it off a defender to Neudorf, who completed her hatty.
Amanda Gaythorpe, Jennie Currie, Carmen Kinniburgh, Amy Fisher, and Cara Van Tol all played in various positions and had several great chances at net for Sistas, while Michelle Mulholland and Birbilis both took care of business at center defence. Crystal Flasch was solid subbing in net.
The Attack, whose coach Greg Thalheimer was in Wrigleyville for a FIFA convention and some Cubs’ games, got some solid saves from Azra Cawley in the first half. Schepp made a handful of tough stops.
Sue Chadwick was a great sport and agreed to play as a forward, despite usually playing in a more defensive position. Chadwick may have earned herself a new position – her tenacity, ball control and smart playmaking were certainly an asset up front.
Megan Mackus brought her signature play to centre-defence – calm under pressure, quick to cut off the runs, and never afraid to come in hard and send a ball up to the waiting forwards. Christine Trickey had an excellent game – she had some very skilled and experienced players to check and consistently shut them down.
The Green Rockets surprised the Fantastic Four 3-2 at Marshall #5.
Delaney Ross and newbie Emma Louie produced goals for the Fantastic Four. Hustling defender Dianne Embleton also made a bold debut for the Four.
Taylor Weixl and Kris Ponto shared the Fantastic Four keeper duties with Weixl getting beat by two World Cup-like blasts and Ponto allowing a PK.
Stephanie Curtis was calm and cool as sweeper in the back for the Four, while Nathalie Messner sparkled on the right wing and fullback Alana Lindsay shone.
