Outnumbered but not outgunned, Cowichan Red Arrow edged out the Juan de Fuca Bombers 2-1 on the weekend to keep alive their hopes of winning their pool in Div. 4 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
Cowichan had just 10 players available for the rare Sunday night match at Royal Bay Secondary School, while the Bombers started the game with 12, then added another at halftime. Red Arrow was prepared for the numbers game, however.
“We have been working on our defensive positioning and on being shorthanded,” coach Will Chaster said. “We have had lots of time working it.”
The game was close throughout. Both teams made deep advances in the first half, and while Red Arrow managed to fend off the Bombers’ attempts, Cowichan got two goals from Shermag Joseph, who also narrowly missed on two other chances.
The JDF centre back picked up the ball in Cowichan’s end late in the first half and danced his way through the defence to score, surprising everyone on both teams as he got the tally within one.
Joseph, who worked alone up front and provided all of Cowichan’s offence, was named Player of the Game.
“After the game, I told the team this was their best game to date,” Chaster said.
Now in second place, two points back of Castaways Invicta, who have played all their games, Red Arrow can move into top spot with a win in their last league game. Cowichan will host Gorge FC at the Sherman Road turf this Saturday at 4 p.m.
