Match Reports for Sunday, August 15th

The first night of the cup championship saw three of the four top ranked teams progress into the semi-finals and the 7th place Hawks bump off 2nd place Berry Park on penalties.

Chico's Bail Bonds vs. AC Kermans

Chico's Bail Bonds went up first off a lovely combination from Meredith P. and James H. ACK soon answered back with a fine few moves of their own. With both teams switching fields effectively and making penetrating runs into the other teams goal area, this one look like it could go back and forth all night. But the score was to remain at 1 for ACK, while Chico's edge on possession resulted in two more goals, one from the boot of Ben T. and the other from Brian C.

The win gives Chico's a place in the semis against old time rivals FC Headers.

Player of the match: Meredith P. (CBB) for her all 'round game that prevented ACK's chances from translating to goals and that set up CBB's first of the match.

Final score: 3-1 (CBB)

Berry Park vs. Hawks

Endless end-to-end action with acrobatic saves from both keepers made this one, by far and away, the match of the day. And if you like the drama of penalties, then even better.

Hawks scored first from the sure boot of Brett G., who has one of the most subtle yet effective turns with back to goal. Admirably, Hawks kept up the pressure rather than sitting back and hoping to get out of the game at 1-nil. But their relentless efforts to get a bigger cushion also allowed Berry Park to have their share of chances on turnovers and from flooding the offensive zone.

After a flurry of shots at the Hawks' net, BP's Nick A. finally tied the game in the second half with a cracker from the top of the goal box.

No team seemed to want to take this one to penalties. Hawks Tim S. had about five good chances in the dying minutes. BP's Jarred G., Nick A. and Melissa F. also had about as many amongst them. But penalties is where the game would go.

It was arguably justified that Tim S. got the game winner, as had the most scoring chances in regulation time. At 2-2, he was the fifth and final shooter. Possessing perhaps the hardest shot in the league, anything that hits the target from the penalty spot would give no chance to a keeper. And he hit his mark.

Player of the match: Tim S. (HFC) for generating the most chances at net and for slamming home the game winner under pressure.

Final score: 1-1 (3-2 on penalties for Hawks).

Scousers vs. Wild Turkeys

Scousers' captain Neil C. tallied four points to ensured his team's berth into the sem-finals. In doing so, he also became the league's Golden Boot winner (points count for all regular season games and the one cup championship night when all teams play). On top of that, he's now a notch ahead a few others in the competition for WSP MVP at the Inlet.

The Scousers dominated possession for most of the night. Wild Turkeys still managed to pose a threat, principally from the moves of Drew D. who scored WT's only goal. But with one person holding on to the ball so much, it was easy for the Scousers to defend and turn over possession.

Three Scousers put in two goal performances: Paul D., Caroline C., and Yohay B.

Player of the match: Neil C. (SCS) for his four point night and control of the midfield.

Final score: 7-1

Badgers vs. FC Headers

FC Headers hosted a football clinic on Sunday night. Sound positioning, crisp passing, and dogged defending allowed them to wrack up 6 and allow just 2 against a Badgers side, which wasn't ever clearly out of the game.

Badgers posses three amazing shooters in Russ P., Dave R, and David K. Each tested FCH keeper, Chris I., especially late in the game. On a different night, or against another keeper, five or six of those shots could have easily gone in.

Fernando C. was back on scoring form, getting the league's fourth hat trick of the season.

Player of the match: Chris I. (FCH) for several, remarkable divining saves that prevented Badgers from getting back in the game in the second half.

Final score: 6-2