Pioneers Reach Milestone:
25 Games Unbeaten

Richmond Pioneers 7 Richmond Cosmos 2

The Richmond Pioneers enoyed a comfortable 7-2 victory over Richmond Cosmos on Sunday, and in doing so reached a signicant milestone, as the Pioneers have now gone 25 games without defeat in Winter league play. The streak that started over a year ago consists of 18 victories and 7 draws, and the Pioneers have scored 99 goals in those 25 games, an average of virtually 4 goals per game.

The final scoreline flattered the Cosmos, yet this was a distinctively under par performance from the Pioneers.

The Pioneers scored first on a delicate lob over the keeper by Ken Johnston, after a Eugene Kishmere shot had been blocked. The Cosmos tied the game when Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne fumbled—OK, dropped—a routine catch from a Cosmos free kick.

The rest of the half was all one way, and the goals were coming freely: one from Graham Mason, a couple from Eugene Kishmere and a second of the day for Johnston.

With the score 5-1 at half time—and the Cosmos' with their heads down—the game had all the makings of becoming a major blowout. It was not to be though, as the Pioneers play became ragged, plagued by over-embellishment, and a lack of commitment.

The Cosmos pulled a goal back early in the second half from the penalty spot when Jim Fitzgerald had a rush of blood to the head—obviously still recovering from his latest bout of the 'Aldergrove flu' — and handled the ball in the penalty area.

The outcome, however, was never in doubt, and Pioneers added two goals from Ken "Ruud" Johnston, who took his game tally to four and his season tally to 26. The Pioneers had plenty of chances in this game to reach double figures, the most notable miss was when John Tsang dribbled around the goalie but fired wide of the open target.

The final whistle blew on an easy victory, despite a dismal overall performance from the Pioneers. Regardless, the Pioneer machine keeps rolling onward... a quarter of a Century and counting.

Man of the Match: Ken Johnston, who is on a seven game scoring streak.

Next Week: Home again at McMath, against the Dutch Masters.

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