Richmond Senior Soccer League: News

Islanders FC Crowned Challenge Cup Champions

Congratulations to the Islanders FC for their OT win over Subway FC 2-1. This win earned the Islanders their first Challenge Cup victory in the team's 18 year history. This is the third year in a row the Islanders have won a championship, having won the President's Cup in 2010 and 2011.

The game was very close throughout and could have gone either way. Islanders fended off Subway's attack early with the wall blocking 2 free kicks just outside the 18 yard box in the 17' and 26' marks. Subway continued to press and were rewared with 2 great chances - Edward Eviston at 31' and a Lee Tregonning's shot over the bar at the 34' mark. The Islanders mounted their own series of attacks towards the end of the first half and setup Sukhjinder Nahal for the game's first goal at the 44' mark.

Early in the 2nd half Lee Tregonning tried to rally Subway's offense with a brilliant bicycle kick that just missed over the bar from the 6 yd box. The Islanders' Matteo Serka responded with a 35 yd break away but was thwarted by Subway keeper Rajan Jaswal. Things were looking pretty good for the Islanders until the 88' when an errant clearing attempt from a Subway cross caused an own-goal, tying the game 1-1 and sending the game to overtime.

In overtime Islanders potted the goal-ahead goal in the 115' with a Justin Hetu shot from the top of the 18 yd box. With under 5 minutes to play Subway mounted their attack. Edward Eviston broke through the Islander defense and was taken down inside the penalty area - penalty shot! With time winding down and the game on the line, Islander goalkeeper James Collins stepped up and the made the save of the game (and probably his career) on a shot destined for the bottom right corner.

Islanders win 2-1.

Check out the photos on our Facebook page.

DSBH Hounds Victorious in President's Cup Bid!

The President's Cup Final would be the 4th match of the year between DSBH Hounds and Mark's Clippers. Both teams were hungry for the win, having never won the President's Cup before. The match started off evenly with both sides controlling equal portions of the play. Mark's Clippers' midfielder Gareth Lanz tried to open the scoring at the 17' mark getting his head on a Mark's cross, but it just sailed over the bar. 13 minutes later DSBH responded when Connor Sheepwash sent a cross to the left side to a waiting Julius Salerno who managed to place the ball in the bottom-right corner of the net on a sharp-angle shot. Hounds up 1-0. Veteran referee Andy Abbott ventured out from the center circle in the 43' - quite a site to see. Great play. Late in the first half Salerno tried to extend the Hounds lead with a great chance from the top of the 18 yd box that just missed.

In the second half, the even play between the teams continued until a Salerno split the the Clippers defense with a through-ball to Ali Ghashghaee. The 35 yd breakaway resulted in the Hounds' second goal of the game at the 56' mark. Clippers tried to respond 2 minutes later when Brad Martin tee'd one up from just outside the 18yd box that missed the bar by inches. The Sheepwash-Salerno connection answered with their own chance again - but it was not meant to be - the shot hit the bar. Mark's Clippers' Shiv Reddy had a great chance in the 72', but his great shot just missed wide.

Hounds win 2-0.

Check out the photos on our Facebook page.

Richmond Review article on Challenge & President's Cup

http://www.richmondreview.com/sports/144725295.html

For Richmond resident's, you can also see this in the Richmond Review delivered Fri, Mar 30th.