Since the last post on January 29th, the following has happened with SGU:
February 5th, 2011
SGU defeated the Delta Selects in a well played game that saw SGU mount an early lead and never relinquish it.
February 12th, 2011
SGU played away to the North Shore Selects on an absolutely miserable day. Surrey Guildford gave up an early goal but responded immediately and eventually earned a 3-1 win. The game also cost SGU as they lost a player to injury.
February 18th-21st, 2011
SGU traveled to Phoenix for the SC Del Sol Presidents Day Tournament. In terms of on-field performance everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The weather (which was supposed to be a sunny was break from the cold rain in Vancouver) was cold and rainy topped off with healthy dose 60-80kph winds. The resulting flooding forced games to be shortened and canceled and combined the with the injuries and illnesses to SGU players, needless to say Surrey Guildford did not win the tournament.
Off the field, the team had a great experience. There was plenty of team building and on Monday the boys got a free day in Anthem and the sun finally came out. Coach Scott was out-foxed by the savvy old Manager AB and lost the (hopefully inaugural) SGU Football game.
The boys returned on Monday February 21st and have yet to play their one final league game against CMF Euro which will decide the final standing and determine SGU's Cup draw.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
SGU Offence Comes To Life
Surrey Guildford United's Arjun Girn strikes a ball past a Richmond defender. Girn assisted the game winning goal by springing a striker with a stunning penetrating pass from centre back.Photo Courtesy of Randy Downes
Surrey Guildford United were looking to rebound from a sub-par effort against the Surrey Selects last week and put in a strong performance against Richmond on a cold, rainy, late afternoon in January. While the weather was a bit daunting, the Surrey boys looked confident in their approach to kick-off and didn't disappoint in their execution over the next seventy minutes.
In the early stages SGU were a bit stagnant and lacked some authority in their communication resulting in an early chance for Richmond. The SGU keeper charged quickly off his line to make an excellent save but unfortunately sustained an injury and could not return (later confirmed to be a broken arm). From that point forward, Surrey's offense took control. While SGU proved to be continuously dangerous throughout the game from out wide, they struck quickly on a good cross that was chested down and finished from in close for a 1-0 SGU lead. Near the twenty five minute mark, Surrey tallied again when their centre back threaded a ball all the way through to a striker who fought off a couple defenders and finished to go up 2-0. Richmond were able to get one goal back by capitalizing on a an SGU miscue, but full credit to the Richmond boys for the quality finish on well delivered cross leaving no chance for the keeper. Score, 2-1 at the break.
In the second half, Surrey Guildford tidied up their back end and kept fairly sustained pressure on Richmond for the majority of the following thirty five minutes. Although they did have to turn away the odd counter-attack they were able to steadily build more and more chances as time wore on. Near the fifty-five minute mark a good shot from eighteen yards out outmaneuvered the keeper to put SGU up 3-1. Although the score never changed to the final whistle, Surrey Guildford created all sorts of chances in the remaining minutes and the good play was enjoyable for coaches and fans.
With the win, Surrey Guildford United hold their position at second in the table and will host Delta next week.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Robbery
Surrey Guildford United centre back, Jake Reid (in white), settles under pressure from a Surrey Selects striker in part two of the Surrey derby in U-14 Select League playPhoto Courtesy of Randy Downes
Coming off a very successful week that saw them beat both Vancouver and Victoria, Surrey Guildford had another difficult match-up in their second of two league games against cross-town rivals, the Surrey Selects. With the teams tied in the standings, the winner would take sole possession of second in the league.
Early in the game the Selects were out-hustling SGU and picking up a lot of loose balls which they turned into offensive pressure. Fortunately, United's back line were fairly organized and good communication between out-players and the goalkeeper mopped up many chances before anything dangerous developed. Surrey Guildford's slow start went from bad to worse as the Surrey Selects dominated the middle third of the pitch simply by badly outworking the home team. Going into the half, United was fortunate to be on level terms. 0-0.
The second half saw SGU rally their work rate a bit but the misguided enthusiasm to win balls left players chasing all over the field which completely unbalanced United tactically. Mid-way through the second half the Selects cracked open the game on a cut back cross that was beautifully struck off the far post and in to put them up 1-0. Surrey Guildford were still holding defensively and never let the game get out of reach but looked tactically disjointed and unable to mount any sustained pressure of the Selects. Very late in the game United's perseverance was rewarded as the Selects keeper made a very poor decision to dribble and was summarily dispossessed of the ball and left to watch forlornly as the ball was deposited in the back of the net. With game tied at 1-1 SGU ran out the final minutes and blatantly stole points keeping them tied for second with a game in hand on the Selects in the standings.
Next week Surrey Guildford will take on Richmond United at Hugh Boyd. SGU have been better on the road this season and look to extend their unbeaten streak to 6 games.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
SGU Continues to Win On the Road
Surrey Guildford had played four of their last five games away from home and on a weekend that had them also playing away to the Vancouver Selects, today's game against the Victoria Capitals would be a true test of of their mettle. In yet another away game, SGU had to make their longest trip of the season less than twenty four hours after a hard win against Vancouver with two players out of the lineup due to illness.
The Surrey boys looked very confident at the outset pushing Victoria back on their heels. SGU earned several corners and swung numerous balls into the box but some excellent goalkeeping kept Victoria on level terms. The Capitals started to push back and United looked liked their schedule had caught up with them. Although they managed to limit scoring chances, SGU was struggling to keep focus as Victoria were catching them constantly off guard. Victoria nearly took the lead when their striker managed to slip through traffic and got in onto goal but SGU's keeper challenged quickly and made an excellent save. Playing off their back foot Surrey got into halftime at 0-0.
Surrey Guildford looked completely recommitted in the second half. The lethargy was gone and United began asking all the questions; they continued to get crosses in and shots onto goal but were turned back at every attempt by all manner of saves from the Capitols netminder. Victoria counter attacked on occasion but had tremendous difficulty unlocking a well organized Surrey Guildford back line. With time winding down United simply could not turn the pressure into goals, finally, with less than five minutes remaining, after a scramble in the box the ball fell to the feet of an SGU midfielder who struck it low and hard through the crowd and found the back of the net. As the game moved into injury time Surrey iced the victory on a cracker of a shot from twenty five yards that eluded the keeper for a 2-0 final score.
With the win Surrey Guildford moves into second in the league with the Surrey Selects; the two Surrey squads meet next week in a game that is sure to be thrilling.
The Surrey boys looked very confident at the outset pushing Victoria back on their heels. SGU earned several corners and swung numerous balls into the box but some excellent goalkeeping kept Victoria on level terms. The Capitals started to push back and United looked liked their schedule had caught up with them. Although they managed to limit scoring chances, SGU was struggling to keep focus as Victoria were catching them constantly off guard. Victoria nearly took the lead when their striker managed to slip through traffic and got in onto goal but SGU's keeper challenged quickly and made an excellent save. Playing off their back foot Surrey got into halftime at 0-0.
Surrey Guildford looked completely recommitted in the second half. The lethargy was gone and United began asking all the questions; they continued to get crosses in and shots onto goal but were turned back at every attempt by all manner of saves from the Capitols netminder. Victoria counter attacked on occasion but had tremendous difficulty unlocking a well organized Surrey Guildford back line. With time winding down United simply could not turn the pressure into goals, finally, with less than five minutes remaining, after a scramble in the box the ball fell to the feet of an SGU midfielder who struck it low and hard through the crowd and found the back of the net. As the game moved into injury time Surrey iced the victory on a cracker of a shot from twenty five yards that eluded the keeper for a 2-0 final score.
With the win Surrey Guildford moves into second in the league with the Surrey Selects; the two Surrey squads meet next week in a game that is sure to be thrilling.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Another Resilient Win
Going into the match-up with the Vancouver Selects, Surrey Guildford were welcoming a full roster for the first time in two and half months. Unfortunately, as with the last time they met, the warm-up claimed another victim with the SGU keeper sustaining an injury; forcing Surrey to call upon a back-up.
Vancouver were hard tackling and athletic from the opening whistle and SGU took some time respond. Although much of the play was in the midfield early on, Vancouver were able to create a scramble in the box that was eventually forced across the line to take the lead. The goal seemed to anger SGU as they took control of the game from that point forward. The Selects defended well but as Surrey began to create more chances, Vancouver eventually made a mistake; in this case they hauled down an SGU striker in the box. The PK was converted to draw even where it would remain at half.
In the second half Surrey Guildford showed real maturity in their play by winning both the physical battles and applying constant pressure on the Selects. While good scoring chances were hard to come by against the stingy Vancouver squad, SGU earned a second PK when a Selects defender handled the ball in the box. Surrey finished expertly, twice it turned out, as the kick had to be taken a second time because a Surrey player encroached the first time; the second strike was an improvement on the first and put SGU ahead 2-1. Vancouver were able to mount some late pressure but never did get a significant shot onto the Surrey goal in the second half (although a Selects defender did misplay a ball that ended up being a pretty good strike onto his own goal and was alertly and well stopped by his keeper). Final score 2-1.
Surrey Guildford travels to the island tomorrow for a make up League Game with the Victoria Capitals. With this game in the books SGU will have completed all their games in hand and will have a better picture where they sit in the standings.
Vancouver were hard tackling and athletic from the opening whistle and SGU took some time respond. Although much of the play was in the midfield early on, Vancouver were able to create a scramble in the box that was eventually forced across the line to take the lead. The goal seemed to anger SGU as they took control of the game from that point forward. The Selects defended well but as Surrey began to create more chances, Vancouver eventually made a mistake; in this case they hauled down an SGU striker in the box. The PK was converted to draw even where it would remain at half.
In the second half Surrey Guildford showed real maturity in their play by winning both the physical battles and applying constant pressure on the Selects. While good scoring chances were hard to come by against the stingy Vancouver squad, SGU earned a second PK when a Selects defender handled the ball in the box. Surrey finished expertly, twice it turned out, as the kick had to be taken a second time because a Surrey player encroached the first time; the second strike was an improvement on the first and put SGU ahead 2-1. Vancouver were able to mount some late pressure but never did get a significant shot onto the Surrey goal in the second half (although a Selects defender did misplay a ball that ended up being a pretty good strike onto his own goal and was alertly and well stopped by his keeper). Final score 2-1.
Surrey Guildford travels to the island tomorrow for a make up League Game with the Victoria Capitals. With this game in the books SGU will have completed all their games in hand and will have a better picture where they sit in the standings.
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