Temple United 2 – 3 YFC

Yaletown Football Club ventured deep into Surrey to take on Temple United on one of Newton Athletic Park’s gorgeous turf pitches. The sun was out for most of the first half on a chilly Saturday evening, YFC kicked off fielding a strong lineup that matched Temple United’s cautious outlook in the first 15 minutes. The pace was on the slow side with a lot of midfield play and a touch more possession for Temple. Yaletown battled hard to gain the upper hand and with some hard tackling and unrelenting pressure they began to move the ball well. Stuart Trann stepped up to intercept a pass out from Temple’s back line, following the ball as it fell to Temple’s center back and gained control before slotting to Oleg Benesch. Oleg controlled and in the face of an onrushing keeper, niftily tucked it between his legs as the rest of the pitch watched the ball roll slowly over the line. 0-1 to the YFC.

YFC looked sharp and set to control the match when Temple turned it on its head with a well taken goal. They played a long ball into the corner which the Temple attacker controlled after out pacing the YFC back line. With no support and surrounded by 3 YFC defenders, he turned quickly and let loose a shot which deflected off a YFC boot allowing it to curl into the top right corner. Heads were shaking a bit after that one, despite the quality of the goal it felt a bit cheap. The first half ended after more back and forth, with neither side having much to show for it.

Brett Cove succumbed to a twisted ankle and Stuart Trann dropped back to center back alongside Dan Rankin in the absence of other regulars. Some disarray ensued as the formation went from a solid 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 and Temple started to hit on the break with regularity. Though the next goal came via Antonio Rabelo, who stepped up to take a freekick just outside the 18 yard box. Temple’s 4 man wall wasn’t up to the task and the Brasilian slotted it home perfectly, low and into the left corner. YFC back in front 1-2!

More substitutions were made as the side settled in to defend their lead and take home the victory, however shortly after Temple levelled yet again. Though this time there was more than a hefty whiff of offside about their goal. A freekick was sent in from the left side about 30 yards out and their attacker, pylon-like about 2 yards offside with YFC stepping up in unison nodded home with the goal at his mercy. Brad Bodenhammer was helpless as the Yaletown defence were caught with their hands in the air fully expecting the whistle, d’oh! Game on, 2-2.

First, apologies to Thomas Bourguignon who made his debut the previous weekend, congratulations Thomas and welcome to the side! The big Frenchman again made an appearance, putting in a solid substitute performance at center back. Ernesto Ruiz made his debut as a substitute on the right wing, working hard with some great tackles, excellent possession and simple passing. Dennis Kooij also came on in the second half and with these reinforcements YFC pressed frantically for the winner to the bitter end. Temple were extremely dangerous on the counter with ample space to attack given YFC’s aspirations and they almost made Yaletown pay a couple times. But it was YFC’s day and after a ball was played up to the forwards, a scramble ensued and the ball ended up on Oleg Benesch’s boot. Oleg fired a strong shot at goal from 20 yards out which deflected tastily past a wrong footed keeper. Mission accomplished, 3 points in the bag.

Next weekend a return to Surrey is on the cards with LMU Hurricanes awaiting the mighty YFC.