Comox Valley United is enjoying Millar time.
The local men’s Vancouver Island Soccer League side shut out the Port Moody SC Blues of the Fraser Valley Soccer League 4-0 Sunday at G.P. Vanier to advance to the semifinals of the Keith Millar Cup – the Men’s B Provincial Cup championship.
They will host the winner of the Surrey FC Coyotes (FVSL) and Richmond All Blacks (Richmond Senior Soccer Association) this Sunday at 2 p.m., with G.P. Vanier the venue.
The Coyotes and All Blacks had to replay their quarter-final game on Wednesday after the lights went out on their weekend match. After kicking off at 8 p.m., the game was tied 1-1 and in the final seconds of the second overtime half when the timed lights shut off.
United has yet to surrender a goal in Provincial Cup play this year; they blanked South Burnaby Fighting Irish 2-0 in their first round game. Goalkeeper Tyler Salmond was again unbeatable this past Sunday as the home team carried much of the play to the visitors.
“They were a young team,” said Comox Valley player-coach Carey Cordocedo, who expects a much tougher match this weekend no matter which team they face.
Gokhan Abcil gave United an early lead with a bullet from the top of the 18-yard box and game MVP Brian “Jockey” Gage made it 2-0 in the 15th minute when he neatly converted a cross from the left side. Nick Marinus stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 60th minute when he intercepted a pass back to the keeper and slid the ball into the the lower right corner.
Marinus added another goal in the 80th minute on an interesting play. He flicked the ball over the keeper, only to have it headed off the line by a defender. The ball came right back to Marinus, who didn’t stop to say “thank you” before burying his second chance into the back of the net.
On the other side of the bracket, it was the Langley FC Dynamo (FVSL) with a tight 3-2 victory on the road against the prospect Lake Lakers (VISL). Langley FC will move on to face Sarajevo FC (VMSL) after they earned a win over the Ajyal Tigers (VMSL) 3-1.
The final goes May 11.
In Women’s Provincial Cup B play downs, the Mainstream Outlaws (Mid-Island Women’s Soccer League) were eliminated in quarter-final play by the Burnaby Girls SCCFC Selects (Mainland Women’s Soccer League) 2-1. The MIWSL website notes the Outlaws, from Campbell River, held much of the play throughout the game but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
