Pioneers Finishing Woeful, as BC Transit Snatch Shock Victory

BC Transit 2 Richmond Pioneers 1

The Richmond Pioneers travelled to South Surrey to face BC Transit and despite creating enough chances to win the game comfortably, the Pioneers got mugged by two second half goals for a shock 2-1 loss. And not for the first time this season, the Pioneers were left scratching their heads in bewilderment at the final scoreline.

With defensive lynchpin Mike Mogul away on holiday, stand-in coach Jim Fitzgerald was feeling the pressure before the game even started, with only 8 players dressed at game time. When enough of the late arrivals finally showed, the game got underway. Well, kind of. Despite the extra hour sleep from the end of Daylight Savings Time, the Pioneer's were a lethargic looking bunch for the first ten minutes, as Transit looked far the livelier of the two teams.

Gradually the bracing damp air woke the Pioneer's from their languor and they started to penetrate a suspect-looking Transit back four. The first portend of what was to come came when Ken Johnston broke through on goal, and went around the keeper and then a defender before putting the ball over the bar. Opportunites were now coming thick and fast for the Pioneers, and they missed another glorious chance when the unmarked Evgeni Kushnir had a free header from a Denis Harvington corner, yet somehow missed the target. Minutes later, Johnston would have earned a definite penalty had he gone to ground under a clumsy tackle from a Transit defender—a fine time for a politician to take the moral high ground!

BC Transit had their share of possession and looked threatening on occasions, forcing Gary Byrne to make a nice save to keep it scoreless at the half.

The second half saw the Pioneers step things up, and just minutes after the restart, a stinging low drive from Graham Mason was destined for the bottom corner of the Transit goal, but Ken Johnston was unable to get out of the way, redirecting the shot for a goal kick. Yes, it was one of those days!

The Pioneers were creating chance after chance, mostly from some great crosses from the left wing, with John Murphy and Dennis Luk the main providers. Both Kushnir and Johnston had free headers at the back post, both times missing the goal entirely.

And just when a sense of foreboding started to play on the minds of the Pioneers, Transit grabbed a shock opening goal totally against the run of play, with a powerful header from a cross from the right wing. Not long after, they scored a second goal when the Pioneers defence politely allowed a Transit player the time and space to turn and shoot from inside the area.

Reeling from the setback, the Pioneers pushed forward and, with 10 minutes to go, finally got on the scoresheet when a Graham Mason pass split the Transit defence and put Ken Johnston through on goal. This time he got it right, to make it 2-1.

Pushing everyone forward (even Ken Kan ventured over the half way line, leaving goalie Dave Valitis as sweeper!) the Pioneers were throwing everything at Transit, but their defence held firm despite some anxious moments. Late in the game Stan Bogdanovich earned a red card for offering the referee advice on an alternative way of blowing the whistle.

And blow it he did, and the Pioneers tumbled to their second loss of the season.

Next week: Home to Giant Panda.

Pioneers 2005 Penticton Champions!

On the heels of the recent victory at the Juan de Fuca Tournament, the Richmond Pioneers enjoyed a fabulous weekend in Penticton, winning all four games and taking the number one spot in the Over 50 Division at the 2005 Penticton Soccer Tournament. continued

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