SGU Rights the Ship

Tyler Henderson challenges a North Van Lions Gate striker for the ball. NVLG and Surrey-Guildford drew even at 1-1 despite United's dominance in the game.

Photo Courtesy of Randy Downes

Surrey Guildford United had two goals in mind for the Richmond Thanksgiving Tournament; the first being to get their game back on track after a miserable effort the week previous and secondly, to prove they are physically, mentally and tactically ready to perform against bigger, stronger and faster teams.

In the opening game of the tournament, the Surrey boys were up against Cliff Avenue out of Burnaby. After a short period of getting acclimatized to the bigger and faster opposition, United began to dominate play by out working and out playing Cliff Avenue. SGU were able to build chances throughout the game and eventually built up a 3-0 lead which would become the final.

In their afternoon game, United was playing the SFC Rangers. United was definitely the superior squad but despite significant pressure, could not find a way to one past the SFC keeper. The Rangers struggled to score as well and at the final whistle, the score was 0-0.

In game #3 on Sunday morning, it was Surrey-Guildford against Whalley PSV. Whalley sits atop the table in their league and were significantly bigger than United. Early on Untied looked a bit intimidated and gave up several scoring chances that were well saved by United's keeper. Near the fifteen minute mark, a through ball that was challenged by SGU's keeper led to a monumental collision that left the Surrey keeper motionless. United's keeper was conscious but had a significant head injury and was taken to hospital via ambulance. In the wake of the incident, United was rattled and gave up a goal quickly. Determined to prove their mettle, SGU recomposed themselves and set work on earning a result. After the dust settled, United put up three unanswered goals for a 3-1 win.

In the final game, Surrey-Guildford played North Van Lions Gate. Inside five minutes United gave up a silly PK which was converted to put them down 1-0 where it would remain until half time. In the second half, United threw every bit of offence they had at NVLG. Lions Gate crossed half infrequently and SGU built chance after chance after chance. The pressure finally broke NVLG and United drew even, but not satisfied with a tie, SGU continued to press for the win. It was not to be and the final whistle blew before United could get ahead.

Going undefeated, two wins and two ties, turned out to be enough to claim gold in the tournament. Surrey-Guildford was very pleased with their performance and look to build on their success as they go back to league play against Upper Vancouver Island next weekend. United's keeper spent all of Sunday at Richmond hospital and B.C. Children's Hospital; the collision caused a fractured orbital bone in two places but managed to avoid a concussion. His return to the line-up looks to be sooner than initially expected but still T.B.A..