United Wraps Up Pre-Season In Good Fashion

SGU U-14 Metro 'B's with their gold medals at the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Labour Day Tournament

Photos Courtesy of Lisa Venn & Randy Downes

Surrey Guildford United's final preparations for the season consisted of five games in four days. The squad desperately needed some games together as the whole squad had yet to step on the field with even a reasonably full line-up. Despite a pair of injuries/absences the majority of the team was finally back together playing.

On Friday night United opened the tournament against Washington Premier. Right off the bat United dominated teritorrially and pressured Premier. With all the posession SGU failed to put anything on the scoreboard, however, Washington was able to counter-attack well and had three golden opportunities to score. Just before half time United converted a corner for a 1-0 lead. In the second half SGU slowly ran Premier out-of-gas and added two more goals late for a 3-0 win.

Saturday morning United was up against North Delta. The Delta team battled hard but were clearly outmatched as SGU had little trouble getting scoring chances. United cruised to a 5-0 win, with five different goal scorers.

The evening game proved to be the game of the tournament as SGU took on Dunbar. Both teams were 2-0 going into the game and the winner would likely reserve a spot in the final. Dunbar struck lightning quick scoring inside the first minute on a great strike from a bad angle. The deficit rattled United and they struggled to play their game and got into a very physical battle against the bigger Dunbar squad. Score a half 1-0. SGU gained some composure in the second half and were able to control more of the game but, unfortunately, midway through the second frame Dunbar caught United on a quick counter attack and doubled their lead 2-0. To the Surrey boys' credit they kept fighting for a result and with nine minutes remaining a United striker was fouled just outside the box and the ensuing free kick was converted to cut the lead to one. Momentum swung completely and United threw everything they had at Dunbar who valiantly held off SGU. Right at full time, an unfortunate bounce landed right in the arms of a Dunbar defender inside the box. With a well struck PK, Surrey-Guildford was able to draw even. Not satisfied, SGU continued the pressure in injury time and were rewarded for their efforts with the game winner. Final score 3-2. Inside the final ten minutes, United erased a two goal deficit and found a way to win in a very gutsy performance.

The Sunday evening game had little chance of impacting the final standings. Facing Kelowna United, Surrey Guildford improved their ability to maintain posession and seemed to sort a few kinks in their rhythm and timing. United forced Kelowna to chase for much of the game and despite the 2-1 scoreline, controlled the game from start to finish.

The Championship Final saw a rematch of Saturday night against Dunbar. United was far more careful in the early stages not allowing Dunbar to strike early. The game was very different than the previous matchup as United knocked the ball around very well trying to avoid a physical contest. SGU got on the scoreboard midway through the first half on a good through ball that was just toed in through the Dunbar keeper. As United got a little over-confident Dunbar pounced on a error and tied the game up at 1-1 then after the goal pushed United back on their heels. SGU escaped into halftime without giving up the go-ahead goal.

In the second half, Surrey Guildford regained their presence in the game and started to build quality chances. United went ahead and great ball that was popped over Dunbar's back line for an SGU striker to run onto; the break was finished well for a 2-1 lead. Very late in the game, United's striker was hacked down inside the box and the PK was put home for a 3-1 lead and final score.

Following the U-14 'B' team's gold medal performance, the SGU U-14 'A' squad did the same knocking off CMF Barca on penalties. Congratulations to both teams on some excellent play and well earned gold medals.

Surrey Guildford United kicks off league play on September 12th against Langley United.