Mar 2 - B Cup Final

Gorge FC 2 - 4 Cowichan


Cowichan deservedly moves on to play Oceanside Sunday in the B Cup Island Final, by downing the previously undefeated Gorge FC by a score of 4-2.

In a game that had Cup Final intensity throughout, Cowichan started the proceedings by scoring before the game was a minute old. Adrian took the ball down the right side and launched a terrific shot from 25 yards out that Mateusz could only watch it go over his head into the far corner of the net.

Shaking off the early goal, Gorge FC pressured the Cowichan defense time and again. Unfortunately, the shots were not finding the mark and the Cowichan defenders were able to clear the ball out consistently.

At the mid point of the half, Gorge FC scored an apparent goal off a corner when the ball was knocked over the goal line and bounced off a defender back out. Neither the referee or linesman seemed to see it and despite some protests from Gorge players, the play was allowed to continue.

At the 30 minute point, Ryan was takendown at the edge of the box and the Cowichan player number 72 issued a yellow card. Ryan was injured on the play and subbed off. The ensuing free kick went wanting.

Deep in injury time, Cowichan were awarded a corner after some heavy pressure in the Gorge end. The ball landed in the middle of the box with the only black shirt in sight able to shoot through the legs of a number of stationary Gorge defenders to make it 2-0.

A minute later Jordy was issued a yellow card just shortly before the half time whistle.

Being down by two goals at the half is an unfamiliar position for the Gorge FC team this year. However, they were up against a well prepared Cowichan squad who had taken advantage of the few scoring opportunities they had. Despite carrying the offensive play, Gorge FC were not able to convert their chances.

The second half started with Cowichan being the aggressor. At the 48 minute mark, Tom was adjudged to have fouled the Cowichan player in the box. The ensuing penalty had Cowichan up by three.

This lit a fire under the Gorge boys and at the 57 minute mark, Jordy spotted Quinn at the edge of the box and fed a pin point pass. Quinn with the composure of a true striker slotted the ball past the keeper into the left corner.

Only four minutes later, Gorge FC was caught with too many men forward and allowed the Cowichan striker to get the jump on our last defender and go one on one with Mateusz. The resulting goal restored the three goal lead.

The second yellow card on number 72 at the 66 minute mark resulted in his red card to reduce Cowichan to 10 men. Cowichan had already earlier in the match started to stack the back end, and with one man down, further compacted the midfield and defensive end.

Gorge FC took advantage of the bit of extra room and started playing more direct balls into the Cowichan end. At the 70 minute mark, some great passing up the left side saw Quinn again near the top of the box strike an absolute gem that dipped into the far corner to bring Gorge within two.

More sustained pressure saw Russell pot one in but the linesman's flag had him offside. The last few frantic minutes were played out with Gorge FC unable to draw any closer.

The final whistle blew with Gorge FC for the second year in a row on the wrong side of the score in a B Cup Final.

Notes: The field had been sliced earlier in the day. Many bruising tackles were made by players on both teams. There was no lack of intensity and aggression. It was a well played game, with good passing and movement. Mark was in Vancouver playing in the Grade 9 Provincial's for Basketball. Players from both teams represented their clubs well. Both Thor for Gorge and Adrian for Cowichan rocketed free kicks just over the crossbar.