Lakehill United Div 2: Saanich Fusion Sound Machine Invade the Foot and Retreat East With 1 Point and Match Report

Unprecedented.

Unheard of.

Unusual.

Unexpected.

Underwear.

Okay, so we added that last one because we ran out of words but this week's match report format has simply never been done in this way before. Ever.

We've had United fans and players do write-ups in the past, we've had the coaching and managerial staff take over the reins of this site, we've even let one of Brian's cats loose in an article or two. But we have never, ever handed over the keys to this castle to an opponent. It simply is never done.

So this week, due to a combination of journalistic laziness, lack of reporters at the game, and a well thought out forum post, we asked Saanich Fusion manager Justin Smith (jsmith2998 to his friends) to provide his thoughts of the game. Below, is his account:

"Well as Cowichanpr accurately reported and I am sure it is a shocker to all we tied another game. Both teams had extremely good chances to win the match, with probably the best chance coming late in the game to our Fusion player but the Lakehill goalie was equal to the challenge.

First 15 was really a feeling out process with the better chances probably falling the way of my Fusion lads but around 25 in Tim Yager manned up and scored a goal off of a deep free kick, and let me tell you he paid the price for that one! I believe the ball went in off his face from a clearance attempt, and he received a punch in the face for his trouble as our keeper went across to save it, definitely one of the bravest goals I ve seen in a while.

Next 10 or 15 its back and forth with no one really generating any clear scoring chances and it kind of looked like Lakehill was going to drop into that shell that we had been expecting but a heads up play from our midfielder sprung our left winger and he cut across the front of the net to put a calm finish into the opposite side of the onion basket. Very clinical.

The second half saw the introduction of Chris Woodc**k for Lakehill and a few changes for our team as well and as I stated earlier I felt that United had more chances to score but the best quality chance fell to our speedy winger late in the match that could have sealed the win for us but it was not to be.

And I can't recall who said it in their posts that Lakehill was going to sit 8 guys behind the ball but that was not the case tonight, and having played them once and seen them a few other time I have to admit I was expecting that type of play but they did not play that way at all this evening save for maybe 10 minutes after they opened the scoring.

As everyone could probably imagine I wanted a tie like I want a hole in the head, but if we were to tie a team Lakehill United is not a bad bunch to tie!!! Honestly one of my favorite teams to play against just pure class, hard clean tackles and a lot of fun to have a beer with after. Best of luck the rest of the way and a tie here probably squashes any realistic chances we had of taking the division but in reality a club as big as lakehill should really have a div one squad.

On a side note I would like to give Brian Butcher a vote for the sportsmanship award as I forgot my sub slips (thought i was coaching div 3!!) and he saved me the drive of shame to my house to go get them. Thanks Butcher I can imagine that some coaches may not have done that for me so it is much appreciated.

As this post turns into one of my usual Friday or Saturday night novels, I would like to echo what Cowichan Pr said about the division. It's my first year coaching at this level and I am absolutely amazed at the parity in the division, and the quality of play. Without a doubt any team can beat any other team on any day. I genuinely feel privileged to participate in a division with such quality and I hope to be a fixture in the division for SFFC for as long as the club will have me!!"

Thanks Justin, we here at LakehillUnited.Blogspot salute you! Also, since Justin didn't provide any pictures from the match, we leave you with this: