They played for keeps as Turn-Key Controls and North Enderby Timber collided in North Okanagan Men’s Soccer League action Wednesday night at Marshall Field #3.
The Timber got Joe Hart-like play from keeper Danny Stein in a 2-0 victory in the heated showdown for top of the table.
There was no score at the half in a battle which saw lots of late tackles and four yellow cards for Turn-Key and two bookings for NET.
The Timber opened the scoring in the 78th minute when a bouncing 50/50 ball was won in the midfield by Jesse Knight and sent wide to Harminder Sandhu.
Sandhu located Dexter James posted just above the 18-yard box with a hard, low pass. James played a neat between the legs flick for a through ball to a streaking Corey Wallis, who beat keeper Jeremy Kler low.
The second goal came eight minutes later when James ran onto a through ball, took three touches and hammered the ball to the left of Kler.
Undefeated Turn-Key produced two quality chances in the remaining 14 minutes but couldn’t solve the acrobatic Stein.
Evan Moore delivered a sweet free kick from 22 yards out which cleared the wall and was headed top shelf before Stein stretched out like a gymnast and pushed the ball up and off the crossbar.
A second Turn-Key opportunity five minutes later was denied by Stein who used his head, opposed to his hands, to clear his 18-yard box off a threatening corner. Stein was named the Carl’s Jr. Man of the Match.
Turn-Key center defenders Kyle Goodgrove and Nolan’s Pharmasave Man of the Match Carson Haywood-Farmer worked tirelessly in shutting down the potent NET attack in the first half.
Both teams are 4-1, joining Salmon Arm Courvas (4-0) in the penthouse.
The Courvas stopped Vernon Hi-Pro Sportswear Camels FC 3-1 Wednesday night at Marshall Field #5.
The Courvas opened the scoring early in the first half from outside the penalty area with a well-placed strike sailing over an outstretched Camels keeper Ryan Campbell.
The 2-2-1 Camels pressed for the equalizer which came late in the first half on an arching volley delivered by Ben Osborn from 18 yards out.
Both teams exchanged a number of failed tries until Courvas capitalized on the go-ahead marker with 15 minutes remaining. With two minutes left, Courvas thwarted the Camels’ attempts at the goal-line, driving a third and final marker behind Campbell, in transition, right before the final whistle.
Davidson & Co. Dynamite shut down the Salmon Arm Outlaws 1-0 at Marshall #4.
The Nitros (2-2-1) carried most of the play against the 0-5 Outlaws and got a goal from Moe Singogo in a hard-fought tilt.
The Dynamite had two goals called back, while their keeper, Ean Ross, registered a fabulous save on a penalty kick.
Monashee Surveying of Vernon gained a 1-1 draw with the host Revelstoke Stallions.
The surveyors (2-1-1) started short players due to travel, but went up early on a scramble with Michael Arding trying to murder the ball and finding the net.
A few minutes later, Revelstoke (1-2-2) countered down the right side, made some nifty moves and equalized. It was a tough battle by both teams and featured many hard tackles, with the game getting tense right down to the last play.
The Nation of Domination Eagle Homes ambushed Vernon Concept Physio 7-2 at Marshall #2.
NOD was up 2-0 when Fabrice N’Dair converted on a great through ball from Enzo Paal to bring Concept Physio within one at the half.
NOD (2-3) came out strong in the second half and scored three times on through balls that Concept (0-4-1) felt were offside. Playing with no subs, Concept couldn’t match the intensity that NOD brought in the second half, but ended strong with a brilliant goal by Paal.
Tourney attracts 47 teams
A total of 47 teams open play Saturday in the 33rd annual National Oldtimers Soccer Tournament at Marshall Fields and MacDonald Park.
There are 32 men’s entries, including the defending champion Surrey United in the 35+ category with seven teams.
The men’s 40+ divisions has four teams with 2011 winning Mission FC returning. There are eight clubs in men’s 45+, including the defending champion Peace Arch of White Rock, who have Vernon native Rod Trentini in their lineup.
The Big O Tire Ogopogos of Vernon are in the 45+ class and meet Peace Arch in their Saturday opener (10:30 a.m.) at Marshall Field #2. The Ogopogos meet Vancouver FC Piast Saturday (3 p.m.) at Marshall #5 and finish preliminary play Sunday (noon) against Calgary Lads.
There are nine teams in men’s 50 with the Vancouver Nomads out to win back-to-back titles. Another four clubs make up the 55+ division with the Vernon Masters opening Saturday (noon) versus the 2011 champion North Island Spartans at MacDonald Park.
The Masters tangle with South Hill FC of Vancouver Sunday (noon) at Mac Park and finish against Vancouver Polonia Monday (10:30 a.m.) at Marshall #5.
The defending champion Calgary Tsunami Blues start the nine-team women’s 35+ class against Semiahmoo of White Rock Saturday (noon) at Marshall #3. The Blues are led by former Florida soccer star Jake Hertlein and one-time Olympic skier Wendy Lumby.
Dr. Lee’s Dental will represent Vernon, opening with a Saturday noon date with the Calgary Galaxy. Dr. Lees battle the Calgary Jags at 9 a.m. and play the Blues at 3 p.m. in Sunday games at Marshall.
There are six teams in the women’s 40+ class, including the 2011 champion Team NARF of Edmonton and NOU United of Vernon.
Team NARF, led by the hilarious diva Donna Hill, provide bavarian garden entertainment pretty much 24-7. United tackles Calgary Banyana Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Mac Park, take on NARF Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at Mac and finish with Calgary Turin Sunday, 4:30 p.m., at Mac.
Finals go Monday in all divisions except the men’s 55+, where a winner will be declared following the round-robin.
The men’s 35+ championship is noon at Mac West, while the women’s 35+ title game is 10:30 a.m. on Mac East.
