Powell River Villa remained in control of its destiny with a crucial 3-0 win over Prospect Lake Lakers on Saturday night.
Every one of the remaining matches in the schedule has an impact on a number of clubs including Villa and its players weren’t about to rely on others to determine their fate.
After a slightly jittery start at Brooks Secondary School athletic field the boys took charge of the game and capitalized on the experience of two veterans.
“It’s a pleasure playing with someone the calibre of Kye Taylor,” said Coach Jamie Zroback, who opened the scoring for Villa. “We looked at each other and I started to run and he just put the most perfect ball over to me. I shot it over the goalie’s shoulder and that was it.”
His goal at the 20-minute mark was the only one in the first half but Villa felt confident and came out smartly to start the second 45 minutes.
The second goal of the game was a David Beckham-like free kick off the foot of Taylor.
He and Zroback were lined up to take the kick from 25 yards and the Laker keeper bit on the fake from the right-footed Zroback and was out of position just enough for Taylor to smoke the ball into the top left corner.
His strike came 10 minutes into the second half and the two-goal cushion was a luxury that Villa hasn’t had often this season.
Knowing that goal ratio could be a factor in the relegation process, Villa remained aggressive and eager to add to the score.
Another opportunity came when Taylor delivered a beautiful ball to Ricky Rushton who dropped it to the ever-dangerous Jordan Peters.
Peters worked his magic past a couple of defenders and once alone with the keeper delivered a blast into the low corner to make the final 3-0.
The win was huge for Villa who looks to its roster to include recruits to help the team maintain its Vancouver Island Soccer League status.
“We had Ricky join us this weekend and he and Kye in the middle of the midfield were awesome,” said Zroback. “Our defence with Steve Orchiston and Tony Carroll was doing a great job clearing balls and winning headers.”
If Villa is going to succeed the entire roster is going to have to deliver similar results for the next couple of weeks.
There are 12 teams in division two this year but next year the league wants it down to the conventional number of 10.
Two teams will move up to division one while four will move down to division three. Two teams from divisions one and three will join the six remaining teams in division two.
At present Villa is fourth from the bottom but has two games in hand over Victoria’s Vantreights who are currently three points ahead.
Vantreights is almost assured a win against last place Gordon Head Blazers next week while Villa travels to take on Comox Valley United (10 seed) and Nanaimo United FC(second seed) this Saturday and Sunday.
Villa’s last game is also on the road against Castaways FC (third seed) and depending on the outcome of the others, could be the deciding game of the year.
“None of the games are easy as Comox is fighting to stay alive like we are,” explained Zroback, “and the other two are trying to get promoted.”
Chip Shots:
Division two leader Vic West FC upset the top team in division one, Bays United FC, 3-2 to get to the semifinals of the Jackson Cup. It will face Juan de Fuca who defeated last year’s champion Gorge FC. Sooke Celtic and Cowichan are in the other semifinal.
Division 2
Team Name Ranking GP W L T GF GA GR Points
Vic West FC 2 1 19 16 2 1 49 12 4.08 49
Nanaimo United FC 2 2 19 12 5 2 31 17 1.82 38
Castaways FC 2 3 19 10 6 3 35 27 1.30 33
Gordon Head Blazers 2 4 20 9 6 5 29 23 1.26 32
Prospect Lake Lakers 2 5 19 10 8 1 27 26 1.04 31
Saltspring FC 2 6 20 8 7 5 27 28 0.96 29
Cowichan Sportstraders 2 7 20 6 5 9 27 23 1.17 27
Vantreights 2 8 21 7 9 5 27 32 0.84 26
Powell River Villa 2 9 19 6 8 5 21 20 1.05 23
Comox Valley United 2 10 21 5 13 3 29 40 0.72 18
Gordon Head Blue 2 11 19 3 13 3 22 46 0.48 12
FC Sagres 2 12 20 2 12 6 19 49 0.39 12
