First place Upper Island Riptide (7-0-1) took on sixth place Bays United FC (2-5-1) in Vancouver Island Premier League under 15 boys’ soccer action on Sunday.
League standings meant very little in this duel as multiple lead changes and a final outcome that was not decided until the final minutes produced a thrilling match.
Weather conditions were very good with royal blue skies completely clear of clouds and a game time temperature a slightly chilly 3°. Play commenced under the symphony of chirping birds high up in a large nest perched in a nearby leafless oak tree. Fittingly, the match was contested at rustic Oaklands Park in the Jubilee area of greater Victoria.
Riptide wasted no time setting the tone as Anthony Vigernon opened scoring at the one-minute mark, with a wonderful kick labelled for the top shelf from 14 metres out, for his first goal of the year. Determined to follow up the great start, Riptide pressed the advantage with excellent passing and a number of well thought out efforts by Cole Freeman and Travis Brown. Equally clever, Bays United countered by over-matching numbers defensively and closing space very quickly. While numerous Riptide efforts showed promise of a second goal, the ball did not find the back of the net.
Finally, at the 27-minute mark, Bays United ventured into the Riptide half for possibly the first time in the game. Luck was on the side of the Bays United winger as steady Riptide defender Declan Arnold slipped creating an opening for a crossing pass that connected with a Bays United forward to even the score at one apiece.
The second half began with Riptide pressing hard for the go ahead goal. Finally, in the 46th minute, Brandon Rairie (from Texada Island) corralled a contested ball and quickly fired to put Riptide ahead. Again, Riptide resumed the attack pushing play into the Bays United end though not finding further success.
In the 54th minute, an aggressive play just inside the Riptide half resulted in a penalty kick for Bays. Riptide goalkeeper Michael Campbell, playing the odds and expecting the penalty kick from that distance to be a pass, watched the ball find the top corner just inside the goal post to even the score 2-2.
With the score tied, Bays United began to initiate transitional play to take advantage of the attacking Riptide. Not five minutes after the penalty kick goal, Bays United transitioned well from defence to offence and took the lead on another well-executed play.
With spirits raised, Bay United found another gear and pressed play pinning Riptide into its own end for the first time of the entire match. Suddenly, Bays United ended up winning the majority of the contested balls and had firm control of the game by the 70-minute mark.
For Riptide, this was new territory. In eight previous contests only one goal was given and never the lead. Facing adversary for the first time, Riptide quietly maintained focus but could not crack the Bays United defence. Coach Bruno Cristante, sensing luck may strike twice, substituted in Vigernon and at the 72-minute mark Vigernon rewarded his coach when he fired a bullet from the wing that hit the crossbar and came down just inside the goal line.
Not content with a tie, Riptide quickly resumed the attack and at the 76th minute sealed the win when Derek Mellish found the back of the net from a very sharp angle just outside the box.
For Bays United this match will have bittersweet memories. Losing a close one at the very end is never easy, however the players’ determination cannot be questioned and it is clear they can play with anyone in the league.
Riptide demonstrated a strong resolve and confidence to keep with the plan and to keep battling for the goals and in the end the players were rewarded.
Next up for Riptide is a 12:30 pm start versus Nanaimo Storm on Sunday, December 11 at Brooks Turf field in Powell River.
