With the soccer schedule decimated with the relentless stormy, wet weather, the Richmond Pioneers managed to sneak in one game before the Christmas break as they traveled to White Rock to take on BC Transit, who have become something of a bogey team for the Pioneers in recent years.

As always, the playing surface at Softball City was in remarkable condition. The game opened at a slow pace as both teams were showing evidence of rustiness from the lack of recent activity.

The Pioneers definitely had the upper hand in the first half, creating a series of great chances. Evgeni Kushnir missed a point blank header, when a cross from Dennis Luk from the left wing found the ‘Rocket’ unmarked at the far post, his header going the wrong side of the post when it seemed easier to score than to miss.

Graham Mason also could have done better when his shot from the edge of the area flew over the bar.

At the other end, Transit’s attempts on goal were limited to long range efforts, which Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne dealt with comfortably.

The Pioneers’ Ed Eviston created a chance for himself, as he weaved through the Transit defense only to see his close range shot saved. The chances kept coming, and Kushnir had another great opportunity when he was through alone on goal with just the goalie to beat, but the Transit keeper did just enough the thwart Kushnir’s attempt.

The second half was more evenly matched, and BC Transit shocked the Pioneers by opening the scoring. A routine cross from the right wing exposed a lack of decisiveness amongst the Pioneer defense, as they allowed the Transit forward to nip in unchallenged and put the ball into the back of the net.

As the Pioneers started to rue the missed opportunities from the first half, Transit grew in confidence, and the home team increased their lead when another Pioneer defensive miscue—this one started when Eviston put Mike Mogul under pressure with a weak headed pass—resulted in a deflection that fell right to Transit forward Jim Langlands, who hammered the ball home, 2-0 Transit.

The Pioneers pushed hard to get something out of the game, but were not getting the rub of the green until late in the game when Kushnir scored from a pass from Jusuf Skrijelj.

But it was too late to change the outcome of the game, and the Pioneers suffered their third loss of the shortened season.