The Sir John “Michael” Jackson Cup made its way to the Foot on Friday night complete with all of the pageantry and magic the Cup brings to the VISL. United’s Cup run had been eventful after narrowly surviving the first round against a formidable BYE side.
The second round brought Sooke Celtic of the first division to Saanich to play the minnows of Lakehill in a game that meant little to the United squad and everything to the bumpkins of the Western Communities (is that politically correct? – meh).
The second round brought Sooke Celtic of the first division to Saanich to play the minnows of Lakehill in a game that meant little to the United squad and everything to the bumpkins of the Western Communities (is that politically correct? – meh).
United, without several squad members, were forced to rotate the team with a rare bench appearance by reserve team player Stevie “World of Warcraft” Howard.
On the pitch, United were set up to frustrate Celtic with a strong defensive formation that adapted to a counter attacking system offensively. The clear United stand-outs in the first half were United’s defensive line of Jer “I’m not Happy, My Face is Just Like This 24-7” Roberg, Bryan “I Like Playing on the Ground” Butcher, Sam “When I’m Injured I Walk Like Holla” Yager, and Brett “Drop Your Pants and Cough” Poulis.
Poulis and Roberg did well to break up the attacks down the wings while Butcher and Yags broke up the aerial threat and reduced Sooke to long range shots that failed to trouble Mike “His SH$T is Bananas” Peters.
Poulis and Roberg - Tag Team Champs
Peters did survive a scary moment in the first half when he dropped a routine save and got a firm foot to hand reward for his insolence. That’ll learn you!
The half ended at honours even with no goals scored and few chances carved out by either team. If Sooke were the better team, the neutral would not have known it as United were very comfortable defending and breaking up the Celtic attacks.
The half ended at honours even with no goals scored and few chances carved out by either team. If Sooke were the better team, the neutral would not have known it as United were very comfortable defending and breaking up the Celtic attacks.
The second half started poorly as Sooke capitalized from a tight angle to go ahead. Shortly after it was 2-0 for Celtic as they scored a bullet from a mis-cleared corner.
United responded by adjusting formation and pushing their wingers higher up the pitch. Andy “Clearance” Sails proved to be a handful as he burst forward and cause Sooke problems in the back. Additionally, Howard himself saw time in the second half on the opposite wing.
Alas it was not to be United’s game as Sooke caught them pushing up. A slip at the back and heavy suspicion of offside saw Celtic score the third and final goal of the game.
The remainder of the game turned a bit ugly as Sooke let their class show through with some tremendously dirty challenges. One challenge saw a through ball on the Sooke goal chased down by a United winger, only for a strong push in the back from a Sooke defender to cause contact with the Celtic goalie. The contact led to several Celtic players surrounding the Hill player and threatening to “kill him” – classy.
Stevie Howard - Not this ripped in real life
The game finished with several Sooke players attempting taunts with the United bench over the scoreline. It should be noted that these taunts fell on deaf ears as the overall cup apathy and general festive spirit of United could not be dented.
Man of the Match: Andrew "Enforcer" Sails
Holle-Nash Award: N/A
Moan of the Match: Sooke - Class of an Onion
