Pioneers Missing in Action

Richmond Pioneers 1 Richmond Olympics 2

If this was supposed to be the eagerly awaited derby match between the Richmond Pioneers and the Richmond Olympics—two teams that share the same post game watering hole—then someone forgot to tell the Pioneers, who turned in a listless performance in a 2-1 loss to the expansion team that just (finally) moved up (down?) from the Over 40 division.

Or maybe the two pre-season victories that the Pioneers enjoyed over the Olympics took the edge off the fixture, and perhaps made them over confident. Whatever the reason, the Olympics came into this match with a game plan, and they executed it perfectly, frustrating the Pioneers and walking away with their 100 per cent record intact three games into the season.

The Pioneers started well as they did all the early pressing and had chances to grab an early lead. Following a comical defensive mix up by the Olympics, Graham Mason missed a glorious opportunity as he broke through on goal only to see his shot narrowly miss the far post. Minutes later, a Denis Harvington cross found Mason at the far post, but his first time shot was saved on the line. The breakthrough goal looked like it came when a Ken Swanston first time shot from the edge of the area was goal bound, before being tipped round the post in a spectacular save from the Olympics keeper.

In perhaps their first foray into Pioneer territory, the Olympics scored on a freakish own goal, as Mike Mogul headed a cross that was going nowhere past his own keeper. If any of the Pioneers wondered if it was going to be one of those days, they were right. Midway through the half, the Olympics extended their lead, courtesy of the Pioneers inability to clear their lines.

After the break, and with a 2-0 lead, the Olympics adopted a defensive posture, and the Pioneers, despite more urgency in their play, struggled to find a way past a stoic defensive back line. Eventually the Pioneers did pull a goal back—a nicely taken shot by Eugene Kishmere—but that was as close as the Pioneers would get, thanks to solid defending by the Olympics and many questionable offside calls from the most exasperating of referees, the ubiquitous Jimmy Sommerville.

A lackluster performance for sure from the Richmond Pioneers. But not only did the Pioneers lose, but their proud 27 game unbeaten home record at McMath came to a sudden and surprising halt.

Man of the match: Eugene Kishmere.

Next Week: Off to Penticton, for the annual Thanksgiving weekend tournament.

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