S.G.U. Performs Well Coming Out of the Break

In their first leauge game back after the holidays Surrey Guildford United was taking on the North Shore Selects. In their last meeting the teams played a close contest that was decided very late in North Shore's favor. In this game however, S.G.U. was without three players who were up with the 'A' team compared to a North Shore squad that had its full contingent.

SGU had been struggling in the early parts of games recently, giving up goals and scoring chances by simply being unprepared and disorganized. In the new year, the squad seemed to turn over a new leaf as United was diligently organized and were very stingy defensively right from the opening whistle. As the first half wore on, Surrey Guildford got increasingly comfortable in their ability adjust quickly and started to press forward with reasonable success. While United created only a few scoring chances they gave up very few and with good focus and balance to their play, they made it increasingly difficult for North Shore to build forward in the game. Score at the half, 0-0.

Surrey Guildford's play improved in the second half, their back line continued to steadily improve and United's keeper started to neutralize North Shore's attempted through balls. SGU's strong play was finally rewarded late in the game as their weak side winger got on the end of a ball into the box and chipped it over the charging keeper for a 1-0 lead. Surrey Guildford defended the lead well for the last 10 minutes but in injury time they panicked a bit resulting in a chance in the box for North Shore which was smashed low onto goal and a deflection off a defenders foot slipped past the keeper to draw the game even 1-1.

The timing of North Shore's goal made the game feel like a loss, however, SGU performed very well. The Surrey boys got excellent performances throughout the lineup and continued disciplined play should yield good results, regardless of personel changes, in the final six league games. SGU now goes into a bye week and plays their next league game on January 23rd in Nanaimo versus UVI.