Cermaq City FC travelled to Victoria this past weekend.
Before they even kicked a ball they received a boost with the news that the League leaders, Saanich had tied against third-place Castaways. It was an ideal result for Cermaq with both teams dropping two valuable points.
The focus at the start of their own game against Vic West was to take advantage of the result with a victory and three points. The opening 15 minutes of the game were an even affair. The pitch at Glasgow was atrocious making any decent soccer almost impossible.
The opening goal was to come following a goal mouth scramble. Wyatt Bryce was first to react to the loose ball and slotted it away in a composed fashion.
An early substitution came with an injury to the Division’s leading scorer and Cermaq centre forward Shane Dumanoir. This gave the opportunity for new signing Edgar Cranmer to get his first minutes with the team. It didn’t take him long to settle as he scored the second goal with his first touch.
Mark Ross sent a fine through ball onto Paddy Cullen who cut the ball back in an unselfish manner to Cranmer who had made a good run to the back post area and it was a simple tap in for the second goal of the game. Cermaq controlled the rest of the half and midfielder Eddie Lawson was at the center of much of the strong play.
The second half saw an even affair. Cermaq content to hold onto their lead but always looking to get forward while Vic West relied more on a counter attacking game with their pacey forwards doing their best to get in behind the full backs and whip some crosses in.
Keeper Beau Belle-Oudry was in fine form and made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the two goal lead secure.
Midway into the second half some excellent attacking play involving Bryce and Dumanoir saw the third goal. Bryce went on a determined solo run toward the top of the eighteen yard box before laying the ball into the path of the onrushing Dumanoir who smashed the ball into the net.
Vic West responded themselves with a superb header to make it 3-1. It wasn’t to be enough and Cermaq were able to record another road victory and a valuable three points.
This result maintains Cermaq’s second place in the Victoria Island Soccer Division Three League. Cermaq are five points off the top but have three games in hand. Most of the league are on Christmas break until Jan. 17.