|
Written by Dennis Kwan
|
|
Thursday, 09 February 2012 10:16 |
|
The Darts Prems went 1-3-1 (10 goals for and 15 against) versus the Alberta Major League teams in late December and early January. Of the 3 losses and tie, Coaches Big Kev and John Hamilton firmly believed the team was very competitive and should have won at least 2 more, but such is the development aspect of this predominantly U18 group.
The second half of the Premier schedule has started sluggishly, with ties against Villains Elite Reserves (3-3) and Lads 1 (1-1), although the team remains in first place, it is by a whisker of a point or two.
The boys now have a week to regroup, find their scoring touch and energy after a grueling 3 games in 7 nights just completed.
Due to the injury bug and exam commitments, we are thankful for overwhelming support of Darts Spurs players, Foothills 94s and 95s players. We hope for their continued participation as the team tries to win a men's tier 1 provincial spot in late March.
Next up Silverback Feb 15 at 9 pm at the subway center |
|
Written by jim marvill
|
|
Monday, 30 January 2012 23:57 |
|
A tough test for the Darts Spurs at the SC tonight. Chinooks the opposition sitting in third spot in division one, thought they had the game well in hand when Darts took a yellow for boarding shortly after the start and capitalized with two goals on the odd man advantage. But Darts to their credit didn't panic and set about laying siege to the Chinook goal and shortly before the half got a well deserved goal from Josh Weinberger. So down 2-1 at the half Darts came out knowing they were going to have to work hard to get a result. It took just five minutes into the second half for Darts to even the score up when Danny Sharp finished an end to end rush exchanging a give and go with Alex Campos. Then Darts once again got into penalty trouble but were able to execute a perfect PK with keeper Goran Radojevic pulling off some great stops. Both teams went end to end, and when at last the ref Called Chinooks for a penalty (he missed three others in the space of a couple of minutes!) Spurs made Chinooks pay. Play-up Jake Vickers quick touches in the corner set up Alex Campos to pot the winner with three minutes to go. Chinooks pressed hard but Darts 'D' were able to handle the pressure and with a minute left an alert play by 'D' man Mike Zepeda who spotted the Chinooks keeper creeping up to join their attack, calmly crossed his blue line and let fly, the resulting goal an exclamation point on a great come back. Johnny Woodill, Curtis Contenti and James Smith the other play-ups each having a strong night really helped out a spirited Darts squad who wanted to remain at the top of the heap. Next up Monday 6th February Callies come calling at the Genesis Center. |
|
Last Updated on Monday, 30 January 2012 23:58 |
|
|
Written by jim marvill
|
|
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 12:57 |
|
Should have, could have, would have! ... Should have won, could have lost, would have lost except for a brilliant goalkeeping display from Goran Radojevic! Left out to dry time and time again by a Darts side thinking it seemed only of offense, the Darts keeper kept Darts in the game after the lads had gone up by two and then promptly abandoned the team concept. Goals from Danny Ahmoye and gifted midfielder Alex Campos should have been enough to build on! However, and it's a mystery why this happens time and time again but Darts turn from team play to individual skills competition with the result the opposition force turn overs and leave the players looking like deer caught in the headlights. It didn't take long before a Callies power play brought the score back to 2-1 which was quickly made 2-2 by some abysmal defending after yet another midfield turn over. Starting the second half the players for a brief few minutes got back to playing some spirited team play and play-up Johnathan Woodill put Darts up by one. Callies for their part didn't sit back but pressed the boys into mistake after mistake as Darts were unable to get out of their own end and play the ball deep, the extra 20 feet on the Genesis field seeming a little to much! More and more the Darts players took long selfish shifts and everyone wanted to score, the result Callies had numerous 3-2 even 3-1 opportunities. Finally the inevitable, outrunning and outgunning the Spurs Callies evened the score. On the night 3-3 the final was a point saved for Darts. Thanks go again to the play-ups Jake Vickers, Curtis Contenti, Johnny Woodill & Yassin Yusuf who played his first game for Darts Spurs and acquainted himself very well. Next up Monday 13th 9.00 pm Vipers at the SC. |
|
Written by Larry Poirier
|
|
Friday, 27 January 2012 23:36 |
|
"Never... has so much... been owed to so few... by so many!" Sir Winston Churchill '41 (after the Battle of Britain).
That about sums up our performance! My mother always told me that if I had nothing nice to say then to keep my mouth shut. Bollocks!! Then everyone struts about thinking that they are God's gift to the game. Last night, defensive responsibilities, more often than not, were abandoned. Terms like hi line, pressing, closing down, touch tight, tracking all but forgotten or ignored. Defending is simple - it just requires effort. That's difficult to do when one's gasping for air. Last night, too many failed to correctly measure the length of their shift, according to their own personal fitness level, and that's why the game turned into a crapshoot. The rule of thumb is this "when you come off, you should still have enough left in the tank to sprint the length of the field". If you don't, then you have selfishly been on too long and it's just a matter of time before you hurt the team! Hopefully, last night's debacle was just a blip on the radar and we learn from it.
Keeper Tare, again an octopus. Dan Perrin opened the scoring on a well struck free kick. Honorable mention goes to James Smith (1g),TJ(1g), John Woodill(1g) & Dallas. Once again we need to thank the play-ups who gave us the bench strength that this team requires to win - super senior 41 years young Roberto Pena was a calming influence and at the other end of the scale Foothills 16 year old Brendan Dueck, in his men's debut, acquitted himself well while D3's Andrew Milne blocked a lot of shots.
Heading into the bye week we've worked our way into 3rd place, a point behind second with a game in hand. Only two points separate 2nd from 6th This division is going to be a dogfight to the end!
|
|
