An expected battle between two of the top teams in Div. 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League fizzled out last Friday when Bays forfeited their scheduled game against Cowichan LMG due to a lack of players.
Cowichan head coach Glen Martin was not impressed.
"A forfeit should never happen in this league," he said. "Especially with one of the top teams in Div. 1."
Cowichan had 17 players ready for the game, some of whom had altered their work schedules to be there.
"It's very disappointing," Martin said. "And I'm sure it's very frustrating for their coaching staff."
Bays was sitting third in Div. 1 prior to last weekend, but has since been passed by Westcastle United.
Cowichan remains in first place with a perfect 9-0 record at the halfway point of the season, their 27 points leading Saanich Fusion by seven. LMG also leads the league in offence, with 32 goals for, and defence, having conceded just five goals thus far.
Patrick Nelson is first in Div. 1 goal scoring with 10 goals, three more than the next player. Also in the top 10 is Cooper Barry, tied for fourth with five goals. Dan Cato and Kevan Brown each have three goals.
Cowichan goalkeeper Joel Wilson is second in Div. 1 with four shutouts in the seven games he has played.
Cowichan is scheduled to play Westcastle this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ladysmith turf.