Rollin’ rollin’, rollin’, the Cowichan 49ers kept it rolling along atop the Masters division standings with a 2-0 shutout of George FC Saturday night on home turf — but it took them some time to do it.
“The team started flat and found their legs after 15 minutes,” said team spokesperson Adam Taft. “We had half a dozen good opportunities at goal. A post and some big saves from Gorge keeper, Scott Rankin, kept us off the board in the first.”
Netting his team leading ninth of the year was Neall Rowlings, on a 25-yard strike to the top right corner, but that, the eventual game-winner, didn’t come until the 70th minute.
Stuart Baker potted the insurance marker six minutes later, finishing his own rebound after controlling a Tyler Hughes cross from the left.
“It was a difficult game and Gorge put us under pressure at times,” Taft noted. “The team did not panic and eventually the goal came.”
Darian Achurch had the blank sheet yet again — his eighth shutout in 10 games for the goalie.
Meanwhile, the Steelheads played to a 2-2 draw with JDF Pacific on Saturday evening in Victoria in their second straight tie.
Alan Kane and Nick Zuback scored for the Steelheads in the 14th and 66th minutes, respectively.
Gaining momentum after back-to-back draws, the Steelheads face the 49ers in a battle of the two Cowichan teams in what’s sure to be a competitive match Saturday night at the Sherman Road turf. The game starts at 8 p.m.
Div I
Cowichan Axis FC played to a 1-1 draw with the Westcastle Lakers in Langford Saturday evening, bringing their season record to 3-5-3.
Connor Crichton scored for Cowichan in the 59th minute.
Up next for Axis FC is a Friday night game at the Sherman Road turf against Bays United, who sit just below them in the middle of the Division 1 league standings.
Div. III
Cowichan Oak FC scooted by Vic West FC by a 4-3 score at the Sherman Road turf Friday night. It was a big win for the lads as Vic West sits third in the league of 10 teams while Cowichan sits eighth.
After a Vic West goal, Matthew Archambault, Isaac Bell, Alkexander Smith and Michawl Bellefleur scored for the Oak in the 12th, 24th, 47th, and 72nd minutes respectively.
Quick goals from Vic West in the 75th and 88th minutes made it a closer game.
Next the Oak face the Mid Isle Mariners on Nov. 27 at the Ladysmith turf.