SGU Three-peats At CMF Labour Day Tournament

Surrey-Guildford United U-14 Metro 'A' team with their gold medals at the Coquitlam Metro Ford Labour Day Tournament

Surrey-Guildford United have been big supporters of the CMF Labour Day Tournament, this being their third appearance in as many years for the 97 squad. SGU are also the reigning champs having picked up the gold last year over Dunbar in the final. These tournament games would be the only real game preparation United would get before the season opens next weekend.

The opening game was a highly anticipated battle of two of the favorites going into the season with SGU taking on Coquitlam Metro Ford Euro. The match did not disappoint; SGU was superior in the first half mounting several chances and out-posessing CMF. Midway through the half, an SGU built their way into the box and a good move to goal forced a penalty, with the PK converted SGU went up 1-0. Shortly after SGU went up by two on a brilliant goal that saw a United midfielder jump in the attack, take on, and draw three CMF defenders wide before cutting the ball back accross the face goal where another good move opened a shooting lane for SGU's striker to slot home the goal. 2-0 at half.

In the second half, CMF turned the tables by holding posession well and pushing United back on their heels. SGU did well to give up very few chances despite the pressure by Euro, however, Surrey-Guildford eventually got caught disorganized and Euro finished well to cut the lead in half. For the remainder of the game SGU held off CMF and steered home the 2-1 win.

In game two of the tournament Surrey-Guildford was playing North Shore Selects. The North Shore squad was a bit of an unknown having many new faces in their squad this season. United was dreadful in the first half panicking regularly and forcing the play against a very athletic Selects team that shut down every attempt by SGU. Surrey-Guildford responded dramatically after the half, holding posession for long period before mounting an excellent scoring chance which was finished well to go up 1-0. SGU added two more in the half for a 3-0 win.

The final game would end up being for the gold medal with United only needing a tie to lock it up. Playing the Burnaby Selects, United was now going to be tested physically and athletically against the big and fast Selects team. SGU got on the scoreboard first, midway through the first half, United got a tap in for the 1-0 lead. After working hard to earn the lead, United got caught scambling at the back and Burnaby took advantage to draw even where it would remain at the half.

United really struggled after the break as it seemed their focus disappeared and a lot of simple mistakes were adding up to sustained pressure by Burnaby. Eventually the poor play cost United as a Burnaby striker got hauled down in the box and the Selects knocked in their PK to go up 2-1. Even the goal against did really seem to wake up the Surrey boys but they did get progressively better as they had to chase the game. United drew back even off an excellent strike from twenty yards out, off the crossbar and in to bring it to 2-2. The score remained even to the final whistle and was enough for Surrey-Guildford to claim gold and the three-peat.

Next week Surrey Guildford opens they season campaign against Langley United.