Morning Star Staff
Turn-Key Controls Ogopogos brushed back Brandt’s Creek Pub 2-1 in a card-filled Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ Soccer League game Monday night at Marshall Field #1.
The Pogos opened with a solid early chance when Duane Dennis fed Brad Conlin, who sent a nifty one-touch to Mark Wasylyk for a breakaway. Wasylyk was stopped a few yards short of the net by a speedy Pubbers’ defender.
Brandt’s Creek replied with quick runs down the side and shots on net that were handily picked out of the air by keeper Dan Ondzik except for one that bounced off the goal post.
After another great run down the field and over the Brandt’s Creek keeper, Wasylyk ended up in a push and shove match and was shown a red card.
Now down a player, Dennis flashed some fancy dekes and moves inside the 18 but was shut down by the keeper at the last minute.
Bryan Schenker of the Pogos (5-4-2) knocked down a loose ball with his face and finished for the opening goal.
Clint Dickinson unleashed a rocket just shy of the bar just before the recess. After the break, Brandt’s Creek came out physical and equalized when Ondzik went out too far and Brandt’s bagged an empty-netter.
Schenker, named the Kal Sports Bar Man of the Match, beat the defence with a smooth pass from Ian Bos to make it 2-1.
The Pubbers’ keeper then made a beautiful save by deflecting the ball with his outstretched arm out of bounds.
After yet more intensive physical play, Turn-Key was awarded a penalty, and Schenker’s howitzer bounced off the crossbar back into play.
Turn-Key’s Nolan Clark got tangled up with two defenders and was assessed a red card for trying to hit back in the tussle.
Eventually, as a result of more back-talk and roughhousing, Brandt’s Creek (6-4-1) was also given a red card.
Brown Benefits shaded the Silver Stars 3-2 at Beasley Park in Lake Country.
Lionel Hoffman of Browns opened the scoring – his 10th of the season – with a patented breakaway on a pass from Tony Gonzales.
Gord Brown’s low, driven corner was flicked in at the near post by Darryl Hazell a few minutes later to double the advantage.
Silver Star came back when John Matejicka pounced on a rebound from a Mike Clarke shot. A strong run by super spare Rob Ross started the play.
Just before half time, Nigel Clack’s quick free kick deflected off the back of David Howes and looped into the net to level the game.
The Browns (10-1) poured on the pressure in the second half but Silver Star keeper Al Bensmiller had an outstanding tilt and kept the score tied. That was until Brown’s Brad Heuser was fouled by Clarke in the box on a corner and Don Brown converted from the spot to complete the scoring.
Clarke was stellar in his debut as centre back in front of veteran partner Steve Coombs.
Bensmiller, who was playing hurt, made some spectacular saves to earn the Antique Road Show Man of the Match for the Stars, with his best save coming on a hard mis-directed header by teammate Bill Graham off a corner.
RPM Automotive grounded the Okanagan Spring Brewery Camels 4-0 at Parkinson Field #16 in Kelowna.
The Camels started with 11 players, while RPM started with 20. The Camels (7-3-1) eventually had 13 players, but were down 3-0 before the final two runners arrived. RPM is 6-4-1.
Sunshine Pool & Spa shut down Bosman Accounting 4-0 at Parkinson #9.
Vernon Topsport Man of the Match for Bosman (1-9-1) was shared between Mark Sladen and Mike Grace, who both played a strong second half and kept Sunshine (4-6-1) from racking up more goals.
North Country Appraisals Kickers registered four header goals in a 5-1 win over the Rutland Sprit at Mission #10 Sports Field.
Steve Fagan, with two, and one each by Sergio Sartori and Vincio Delgado, used their heads for goals. The final goal, the only non-header, was also scored by Delgado who was playing in his first game all year. Olaf Dijkstra set up three of the headers with gorgeous crosses.
North Country improved to 6-3-2, while the Spirit fell to 0-12.
League-leading Penticton United bounced Kelowna Cantinas 5-0 on a warm night at City Park in Kelowna.
Still plagued by injuries, Penticton had a strong performance by Zeke Pescada (2G). Singles came from from Derrick Webb, Darren Schimpf and Mike Knight. United is 11-0, Cantinas 3-7-1.
