Just as mother nature delivered a knockout punch to the promise of spring in Powell River, so did Victoria’s Bays United to Powell River Villa in its pursuit of the Jackson Cup.
In some of the wildest weather to ever hit Brooks Turf field, Villa attempted to move past its third Jackson Cup semifinal in four years.
Standing in its way was fourth-seeded Bays United who are division one’s third seed boasting a convincing three-to-one goals for and against ratio.
The powerful team from Victoria got off to a slow start but on the strength of its set pieces and a six-foot five-inch striker, former University of Victoria Vikes Peter Richmond, shut out Villa 3-0.
Just as the game was about to begin it began to rain and 15 minutes later turned into blowing snow and finally hail, which was probably more of a problem for the large crowd than it was to the players who were focused on the task at hand.
Despite the storm, Villa was very strong in the beginning and had a couple of chances to open the scoring.
Mario Paul took a free kick from just outside the 18-yard line and almost snuck one in on the left post but Bay’s keeper got a hand on it and kept it out.
At the other end Bays worked it in low and a cross off the head of a striker got by keeper Matt Liknes but fortunately careened off the crossbar.
At 18 minutes, Bays took a free kick from the side of the pitch and the cross to the far post was put in by an unmarked striker.
Unfazed by the goal, Villa got back to work and again was awarded a free kick which was quickly taken by Paul. He slipped it off to Song Choi and Choi drilled his shot to the short side but just missed his target.
At the 42-minute mark Bays received a big goal from its big striker. A high ball delivered into the box from 40 yards went off the head of Richmond and into the net.
Down 2-0 at the half, coach Jamie Zroback told his troops, “We’ve got nothing to lose. Let’s just go out in the second half and try to make something happen.”
Villa gave a good account of itself to start but while it challenged and won many of the battles for the ball, couldn’t seem to work it in for a really good scoring chance.
Bays, on the other hand, took full advantage of its big forward and, on a similar play to his first goal, Richmond headed in his second of the game to put the match out of reach at 84 minutes.
There is no question the battle was going to be an uphill one for Villa but the result was still very disappointing to Powell River.
“Possession-wise we were good,” said Zroback, “but we had a scouting report on this team and we knew they were dangerous on set pieces. Three set pieces were all of their goals and really other than that they didn’t have much.”
While Villa lost on the pitch Zroback was thrilled to see so many fans turn out for the game and wants them to know the boys appreciate the support.
“It was great to have all those fans out,” he said, “and I hope that they saw us put on a show for them. Hopefully, we can get back onto Timberlane and get those numbers out consistently.”
Until that happens, Brooks Turf will be home to Villa and next week it hosts Lake Hill United FC at 5:15 pm on Saturday, March 24.
