The Tolko Vernon United U17 boys were 1-1 after Friday morning play at the Provincial Challenge Cup Soccer Championships in Penticton.
United came out firing against KLM Kings of Surrey and won 3-1 in a highly intense game Friday morning at Pen High School Field.
Vernon scored in the seventh minute after James Huntington converted a Shey Townley corner at the far post.
“The goal gave the boys a burst of energy and put the older Surrey squad on their heels,” said Vernon assistant coach Rolf Hirschkorn.
However, Surrey evened the score off a controversial corner.
“There was definite contact by their forward on (keeper) David (Weir) who had the ball in his hands and then was pushed into the net by their forward, but the ref didn’t see it that way”, said Hirschkorn.
After facing some big pressure from Surrey until half time, United came back strong in the final half.
Owen Burnet crossed in a beautiful free kick and Huntington buried a solid shot to the right post for the 2-1 tally.
Vernon put the game away when Scott Coulthard dangled down the right flank and found Perez Vermeulen at the penalty spot. Vermeulen made no mistake
“It was a very physical game”, said United head coach Erick Burnet. “There were two yellows and one straight red (all for KLM).”
Added Hirschkorn: “Erick has these boys playing some great European possession style of soccer. He’s got them believing in themselves despite the age and size difference.”
Kenzel Aarts-Roman and Chase Petruk had strong games in the midfield.
The Tolko boys met the Kamloops Blaze in their final round-robin game Saturday. Sunday’s match will be determined by their placing after group play.
United lost 3-2 to CCB Elite of Surrey Thursday morning at Kings Parks despite taking a 1-0 lead from a long shot by Vermeulen.
Vermeulen caught the CCB Elite keeper off his line and rifled in a 40-yarder in the 26th minute .
CCB stormed back with two quick goals in the last five minutes of the first half.
“We just fell asleep for a little bit and unfortunately gave up the lead”, said coach Burnet.
CCB scored shortly into the second half. However, Vernon rebounded and had several scoring opportunities and were finally rewarded when Mees Geelkerken converted a Mika de Vin through ball in the 65th minute, slotting the ball into the right side of the net.
With only minutes left, Gavin Mason just missed connecting with a Weir free kick which would have tied the game.
“The boys played an excellent game and were technically the better team”, said Burnet.
He added that since the Vernon side is mainly made up of 15 and 16 years olds, the physical size factor plays against them.
Peter Hirschkorn, Nick Berg and Wyatt Carter were noted for solid play on the back line, while Owen Burnet and Elias Jensen played well as holding mids. Coulthard made the CCB defence nervous all day with his blazing runs up front.
