Junior Boy’s Soccer

Brentwood 3, Saltspring 0

Match Report by Tom Dickens

On Thursday, our undefeated junior soccer boys grasped yet another victory when they defeated Saltspring. The game, dominated mostly by the Brentwood side, was a comfortable victory. The game was fairly even until Scott Perry was put through and had a breakaway. Putting the ball into the back of the old onion bag, Scott gave the team a slim 1-0 edge.

Brentwood then extended their lead with a bizarre second goal. Scott Perry was again part of the act when he chipped a high ball into the air. The ball then bounced over the goalie’s head despite the best efforts of the keeper to prevent a goal.

The game, and Scott Perry, were not yet done. Decided that two goals were not enough, Scott subsequently became the second hat-trick hero of the week (see the Senior Rugby report). The final score of the game: 3-0

Mid-Island Championships

Round 1: Being undefeated all season, the Brentwood Junior Boy’s XI went into the Mid-Islands Championship with a great deal of confidence. This tournament is when all the top teams on the middle region of the island compete in a knock-out tournament.

The game against local school George Bonner was a great game where the Brentwood defence played brilliantly. Sean McCarthy playing as sweeper played an excellent game by positioning himself correctly to receive perfect balls, and Will Phillipson was a force in the air, eliminating any threats before they hit the ground. The defence had a great possession game. In younger leagues, it is common for the average defender to boot the ball and lose possession, but the Brentwood defence showed they possessed more class, thanks to great passing skills from players like Sean. This possession helped the midfielders and forwards produce chances, but the goals were simply not coming. It was Nick Snetsinger who broke that the trend, with a corner kick that sailed across the goalmouth inches in front of the net. The Bonner goalkeeper was then unfortunate in tipping the ball into his own net has it sailed over his head. 1-0

Round 2: The second game was an epic tussle between Brentwood and Duncan Christian School. For most of the first half, no team was look likely to score. There was some excellent defence work again from Brentwood, and some great cover from Nick Phillipson. Brentwood had one good chance to score when Jeff Fredrichs produced a neat header on Bonner’s 18-yard box that put Javier Alvarez through. Unluckily, Javier sailed the ball over the woodwork.

Just before half-time, Bonner scored a goal from a long range free kick. The ball was lobbed high, right at the goal, and with the Brentwood keeper being slightly off his line, the ball crept over the keeper's head and into the net. 0-1

After half-time Brentwood responded positively. They kept their defensive structure alive and the mid-field worked hard to stop any overlapping attacks. Scott Perry ended the tension with an equaliser that meant the game would be decided by penalty kicks.

The penalty kick scenario generates considerable tension for both players and spectators. Brentwood missed with their first attempt, but was relieved when goalkeeper Sean Ferguson then made his first save. With the score even, Brentwood missed their 3th and 4th kicks. With Bonner missing their 4th kick, Brentwood still had a chance to win. After making the 5th shot, Brentwood had to save Bonner's 5th attempt in order to stay alive. Unfortunately, the shot went in and Brentwood was knocked out of the tournament.

Having played well, the team had no shame into losing on penalties. The Brentwood team has much to be proud of with a very impressive record all season, having only lost their first game in a shoot out.