Morning Star Staff
Vernon Kal Tire played with heavy hearts as they clipped Enco/Executive Flooring 2-1 in Kelowna Tree Brewing Men’s 35+ Soccer League play Thursday night in Rutland.
Kal Tire dedicated the win to their teammate Mark Budgen (Monashee Surveying Man of the Match) who just lost his lovely wife, Shelley, to breast cancer. The popular mother of three was 46.
At 20 minutes, Jesse Knight broke free in the corner and crossed the ball to the far post, where Jeff Nice used his Okanagan Spring speed to charge in for the finishing touch.
Kal Tire had other chances but couldn’t capitalize. In the second half, Rodney Goodchild fed Darren Nobrega, who sent a laser to Dave Dobernigg, who used his BX Press to bury the 2-0 goal.
Enco countered with about three minutes to go on a breakaway, giving keeper Mark Zaino no chance.
The Tiremen improved to 9-6, good for a share of third place with Enco (8-5-3).
Vernon takes on Lake Country Tree Brewing Thursday at Beasley Park (6:30 p.m.). Lake Country shaded Company FC 1-0 Thursday night, going to 8-7-1. Company is 1-14-1.
Brandt’s Creek grounded Vernon Kal Tire 4-2 in Okanagan Oldtimers 55+ League play Thursday night at Mission Sportsfields #10.
Central midfielder Russ Hamer controlled the ball all night and scored twice, once on a penalty kick, to spark the 6-6-3 Pubbers. Hamer was named the Libra Video & Boutique Man of the Match.
Lee McBratney and Andy Miller added singles in front of Todd Ryder, who used his fingertips to tip a Kevin Mitchell 18-yard corker over the bar and also stone Terry Lowe, while watching Roger Irving’s blast strike the crossbar before robbing Mitchell on the rebound.
Tolko MVP Dennis Chabot recorded both goals for 5-8-2 Kal Tire, making a nice turn and finishing from 10 yards after passes by Mitchell and Chris Odermatt. Chabot nodded in a long Ted Sheehan cross a few minutes later in the second half.
Kelowna #1 ran to a 1-0 win over Vernon Silver Stars at Marshall Field. Kelowna is 9-3-3, the Stars 7-6-2.
North Country Appraisals Kickers nearly became the first team to defeat Westside but gave up two late goals and had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Rosewood Field in West Kelowna.
Tony Overton and Wil Kruiper had North Country up 2-0 but Westside got one with 11 minutes to play from Tony Gonzalez and then with two minutes left, Gonzalez was brought down in the box and Don Brown converted the PK.
In other 55+ play, Tony Munoz supplied the hat trick as Penticton United stopped Summerland Rockets 4-1, while Kelowna Vintage came from behind to edge Beasley FC of Lake Country 2-1 at Mission Sportsfield #11.
The Vintage boys, perhaps inspired by the promise of a post-game barbecue, had 19 players available for the game while Beasley had only 11 and the numerical advantage told in the second half.
Mike Siemens fired Beasley into the lead early in the first half from the penalty spot after Joe Husch brought down a Beasley attacker in the box.
Beasley continued to press but didn’t generate any clear chances. In the second half, Vintage’s quick substitutions began to take effect.
Normand Dionne tied it, sneaking in, unmarked at the back post, to slide the ball home. Then Alf Kempf, just back from a few weeks on the injury list, hammered home a shot from 25 yards for the winner.
The Rockstars brushed back the OTC Sistas 3-2 in women’s Division 2 play Thursday night at Marshall Field.
Amy Fitchett converted a short pass right in front of the keeper to jumpstart the Sistas.
The Rockstars then rang up three straight goals before Deanna Baker connected on a long shot in the final minutes for the Sistas.
Players of the Game for Sistas were Andy Zubot and Alicia Wielemaker.
