They barbecued burgers and smokies in chilly temperatures to celebrate their biggest win of the Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ Soccer League season Monday night.
The Leko Precast Camels of Vernon stopped short of holding a parade around the Marshall Field parking lot after stopping the Kelowna Marketplace IGA 2-1 at Marshall #1.
IGA went undefeated through the regular season and playoffs last year, and were 5-0-1 going into the fast-paced league showdown with the Humpbacks.
Striker Gord Howard opened the Camel offence in the 20th minute when he caught keeper Scott Seiben out of position with a shot to the right corner. Midfielder Al Gee picked off an errant clearance pass to set up the goal.
Grant Campbell equalized in the 57th minute when his hard 40-yard shot skipped in front of keeper Dave Dutcher, who bobbled the shot and watched in horror as it spun into the far right corner.
IGA took over control of the play for about 15 minutes, sending a handful of shots wide or over the net while ruling the left side of the field.
The Camels countered in the final minute when Rick Raber made a nice run and turn before shooting a left-footer from 15 yards out. An onrushing Chris Reeves beat Seiben with the rebound.
Defenders Jim Mottus and Ken Kranenborg shared the Carpet Castle Man of the Match honours for the Camels (6-1), who share first place with Penticton, 4-0 winners over North Country Appraisals Kickers of Kelowna.
Red-hot Roland Riedstra scored a goal and added three assists as Big O/Turn-Key Ogopogos bounced Bosman Accounting 4-1 at Marshall #3.
Mark Wasylyk also scored two goals, while newbie Jenne Hubert added the other as the Ogopogos went to 4-3.
Riedstra, who pulled the hat trick last week, scored on his first penalty kick of the year with a hard blast to the centre of the net as sprawling keeper Guy Paulsen guessed left corner.
Later, Riedstra made a beautiful low cross to Hubert alone in the 18 and the towering Dutch striker patiently buried it low. Riedstra made another nifty pass to Wasylyk in tight for a short tap in, and drew another assist as three Ogopogos collided with Bosman defender Akbal Mund on a goalmouth scramble with Wasylyk finding net.
Bosman, who had no subs, answered with Henk Bosman’s fourth of the season, on a penalty kick hard blast near the top corner.
The Big O defence, led by reliable and shifty Leo Nadeau did not give up much all night, giving keeper Yogi Kongsdorf limited duty as he read The Fine Meats of Denmark,
Vernon Silver Stars drew 1-1 with Brandt’s Creek at Parkinson #8 Field in Kelowna.
The Stars, the league’s only unbeaten team (3-0-4) had the best first-half chance in the second minute when Art Renaud was sent in alone by Brian Eso. The Brandt’s keeper made an outstanding save, just getting his fingers on the low shot deflecting it past the far post.
Brandt’s took control of the game and created good pressure for most of the first half. Keeper Ted Lurkins stopped several decent shots along the way.
The second half saw the Stars come out strong and hold a possession advantage, but 12 minutes in, Brandt’s Creek opened the scoring. A misplayed cross ended up on the far post and the 4-2-1 Brandt’s forward James Kinakin played an awkward one-timer from eight yards out which bounced crazily and eluded a frozen Lurkins. Andy Miller drew the assist.
Extra time was added and the Stars used the time to press for the equalizer. With only one minute remaining, Mahmoud Abdel-Kader pushed the ball up the left side to Stephen Fitzpatrick who beat a defender and then looped a cross into the six-yard box. Pub defender Reid Freeman scored an own goal when he dove to clear the ball and headed it into the top corner of his own net.
Lake Country FC beat Cantinas 2-0, while Salmon Arm McIssac & Co. toppled Pushor Mitchell Advocates 3-1 and the Rented Mules and Rutland Spirit drew 1-1 in other games.
Lake Country (2-3-2) got first-half goals from Neil McNeil and Andrew Martin to shut down Cantinas, who dipped to 2-5.
The Advocates grabbed the lead on a Paul Hart shot which just elude keeper Ray Tims’ hands, off the back post and in. Wolfgang Bopp finished off a great pass from Nigel Clack just before the half for the Shuswap boys.
Kelowna gave up an own goal and an 18-yard cracker from Dave Howes on a super set up from Jeff Abbott.
Fred Vandergaag inadvertently deflected an Al Ryder free kick into the net to put the Mules ahead in the first half, only to see Glen Cochrane turn in a Roger Russell cross on a quick counter to equalize for Rutland.
