YFC 4 – 3 Meraloma SC

Yaletown Football Club kicked off the 2010/11 Vancouver Metro Soccer League Division 2B season in exciting fashion against Meraloma SC. It was a crazy match with its share of ups and downs: seven goals scored, a red card, a penalty, mistakes, rabid home support… this match had it all. Coach Glyn Roberts made a triumphant return to the touchline and YFC welcomed back former Yaletown pillars Oleg Benesch and Arnie Emmerson while introducing new players Chris Bland, Dennis Kooij, Brett Cove and Phil O’neil.

YFC started off slowly, allowing Meraloma some time on the ball in the opening few minutes which resulted in their getting some good crosses into the box. YFC very quickly realized their strength was in the air as they bagged two goals in quick succession within the first 10 minutes. Both were from broken plays on slack marking at the back, Meraloma worked hard getting into dangerous positions and with a hint of fortune they found themselves 0-2 up on the home side.

However YFC didn’t crumble, quite the opposite. They began to assert themselves on the proceedings shortly after conceding, knowing that a full 80+ minutes were left to play. The center midfield pairing of Adam Jennings and Dennis Kooij began to control and keep the ball, feeding the quick feet of striker Masa Egami and his wily strike partner Oleg Benesch. YFC began to find success getting in behind the Meraloma back four, Masa particularly troubling them with his speed. But it was Oleg who netted off a freekick which he followed over his left shoulder to volley sweetly past their helpless keeper. The boys closed out the half in control of the game, yet down 1-2 after a number of solid chances that went begging.

After a calm team talk at the half, YFC went out and did more of the same, producing some solid passing football and excellent defending. YFC won a freekick from around 25 yards and Adam Jennings stepped up, eyed his target and smoothly stroked a curling shot into the top right corner of the Meraloma goal. A beautiful goal and all of a sudden its 2-2, Meraloma looked lost and tired and YFC were in total control. Dennis Kooij was sent in alone on goal 15 minutes later and he was taken out from behind in the box, penalty and a red card. Oleg Benesch shouldered the responsibility from the spot and put an unstoppable penalty into the lower left corner, 3-2 to Yaletown! Chris Bland made his debut for the club as a substitute and didn’t waste too much time in making his presence felt with some hard work, physical play and a beautiful looping chip over their onrushing keeper to make it 4-2.

At this point the boys took their foot off the pedal a bit and with 10 minutes remaining it seemed as though they had it won. This is the only true mistake of the match from a team perspective as a 4-2 lead quickly turned to a 4-3 nail biter when a header off a corner hit a player in the back and looped over a helpless Brad Bodenhammer. However, Yaletown tightened things up yet again and saw it out to the final whistle. Well done to Meraloma, who played a strong match and were worthy opponents. Arnie Emmerson earned Man of the Match for a commanding and tireless display at center defense and later center midfield. A truly exciting way to start the season, excellent work by the boys and much love to the supporters who came out on a chilly Friday and cheered the entire match.