North Enderby Timber won their 10th Gibson Cup without taking the field Saturday night at MacDonald Park.
North Okanagan Soccer League-leading Courvas of Salmon Arm forfeited, saying they couldn’t field a team.
To give the second-place Timber a run, Monashee FC, 4-1 losers to NET in last week’s semifinals, played a make-shift final that lacked enthusiasm from both teams in a 1-1 draw.
“We played aggregate so we had a three-goal cushion heading into Saturday,” said NET sniper Brent Poulsen.
NET opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Poulsen beat a defender on the wing and played a low hard cross into Alex Farina at the top of the six-yard box. With a defender all over him, Farina calmly slotted home the one timer.
La Senza Rookie of the Year Dustin Boreen scored his finest goal of the year for Monashee.
“MFC would like to thank all their friends, family and our sponsors for a great season,” said team manager Tyler Johnson. “It was a tough run with many players picking up injuries and having to juggle work responsibilities.”
The Vernon teams will hold an emergency meeting in mid-September to discuss possible plans for a city league without Salmon Arm and Revelstoke entries. Revelstoke forfeited their final round-robin playoff match.
The Timber also advanced to the Royal Cup final with a 2-1 win over second division-leading FBFC Big Surf in the semis Sunday afternoon at Mission Sports Field.
Devin Janke supplied both goals for the Timber.
Alves Brothers and Mario’s Towing Celtics played in the other semifinal. No score was available at press time. The final goes Saturday, Sept. 13, 2 p.m., in Kelowna.
Meanwhile, Vernon Kal Tire finished the Kelowna Men’s 35+ Soccer League regular season with a 7-1 Monday night win over Freeport industries at Mission Sports Field in kelowna.
Jesse Knight produced four goals to tie Morgan Marrs of Alves Bros. for the scoring derby at 23.
Ryan Sharp opened the 12-4 Kal Tire offence with a 25-yard scorcher into the low corner.
Rodney Goodchild once again impressed the scouts with a great one-time shot after taking a marvellous feed from Geoff Straight.
The final goal came from Glenn Allan, who got a great pass from Goodchild, who was out on the wing. Freeport (7-6-3) snuck one in on substitute keeper Iain Butler.
Kal Tire will begin the playoffs Monday night with their opponent and venue to be announced.
Baker bags deuce for Sunterra Custom Homes
Deanna Baker scored twice as the OTC/Sunterra Custom Homes Sistas grounded the shortstaffed Chick Kickers OMG 4-2 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer League Masters Division play Sunday night at Marshall Field #1.
Lesley Williams and Andrea Zubot registered singles for Sistas, who used Diane Neudorf and Jennie Currie in net.
Cara Van Tol just missed the net a couple times and Melinda Barrajon also had several chances for Sistas.
The Chick Kickers only had eight players and got goals from Monica Holubowksi and Carla Main. Keeper Wendy Nadeau was stellar for the Chicks.
In Friday night action, the Chick Kickers mustered 10 players and iced the Goplen Drillers 4-1 at Marshall Field #2.
Jen Kemper delivered a scorching free kick early which the Driller keeper bobbled, allowing Mel Jacobs to provide the swift finish.
The game settled into a fairly consistent and well played match by both teams for the remainder of the half.
Down to nine players in the second half, the Chicks seemed to be holding the Drillers off until a series of small errors and misjudgments ended in a through ball that one of the quicker Driller strikers buried from in tight.
The goal definitely bolstered the Drillers, but the Kickers’ back four, anchored by Carmen Kinniburgh, was marvellous, stopping at least two fastbreaks by the Drillers.
Michelle Johnson and Jen Kemper in the Kickers’ midfield, along with Tania Sladen and Kelly Challen on the wings, provided solid and much needed help.
Johnson nailed two signature cornerthat dropped in a long arc about two or three feet before the far-end post, within the six-yard box, and Tania Sladen was there twice for the perfectly-timed finishes
Game MVP Kemper fed Jacobs a powerful cross for the final goal. Kemper had a beautiful game, with at least two back-heel passes and seemingly effortless skilled touches all night.
Robyn Sherwood and Wendy Magnus played their hearts out at central fullback in support of Crystal Bergman.
VQA ambushed the host Salmon Arm Kaos 4-1 in other Friday night play.
Player of the game Harmony Crockett was on fire, pulling the hat trick and issuing several dangerous crosses. Crockett jumpstarted the offencewith a sweet high, lofting shot from the far right line after an amazing run from centre. Crockett challenged the keeper for the second goal.
Jane Higgins rang up a dynamite crack from far out up and over the keeper’s head, for the VQA third goal.
Carla Gibson set up Crockett for the sweet hatty snipe.
Sue Barss was brilliant on left wing before relieving Karen Benn in net for the final half. Barss created a number of attempts on goal by being first to the ball.
Bold athletics by midfielders Sheila Westwell and Cheryl Roddis led to some glorious opportunities and runs at the net.
Forward Ute Kintzel refused to give up the ball and was a force both ways. Shelly Johnston, Pat Nielsen, Tania Willett and Beth Lazar also enjoyed solid showings at the back.
Dr. Lee Dental Clinic/Squires Four Pub shut down Seasons in the Okanagan Sistas 3-0 Friday night.
Jill Rintoul, Dana Reid and Currie handled the 10-lady Squires’ attack. Reid struck first with a bullet shot from the left wing at a hard angle.
Sistas played a great passing game and had several offensive chances with Neudorf and returning Kim Sylvester making some great rushes.
Defensively, the Sistas constantly pressured Dr. Lee offence to cough up the ball, and when they broke through, keeper Suzyn August made numerous great saves.
