After a short delay to start the game, we kick off with VicWest opting for the ball to start the first half. They put the pressure on Comox early but couldn’t break through the backline until their first real chance which was a rocket of a shot from just outside the box, nicely pushed over the crossbar by the keeper. The next chance came off a free kick around the halfway line, which ended up being a shot on target but was comfortably caught by the Comox keeper.
About 10 minutes later, Comox regained possession near their box and played a long through ball to the other half. A clever dummy by the Comox striker led to a breakaway, but the shot was saved by the VicWest keeper. Comox then earned another chance shortly after with a long-range shot that nearly chipped the keeper, but he managed to bring it down. Comox really started applying pressure, leading to a third chance in just a few minutes with another perfect through ball that resulted in a breakaway, but the shot went just wide.
VicWest responded with a chance off the goal kick, playing the ball up the wing before delivering a nice cross to a player standing about two yards out, who somehow managed to put the shot wide. They followed that with a free kick just outside the box, but it was sent over the wall and straight into the keeper’s hands.
Shortly before halftime, a long throw from the Comox keeper found its way up the field to the right back, who then played a through ball to the striker. The finish was buried, but the flag went up for offside. On the next play, VicWest worked the ball up their right wing and played a pass to a player who slotted it into the back of the net which was also called back for offside. That was the final play of the first half.
We came back from halftime with Comox starting with the ball. They moved up the field quickly and got a good shot off, but the VicWest keeper controlled it well.
A couple of minutes later, a low cross from VicWest came into the Comox box and was slotted home for the first goal of the game. That, however, didn’t silence the rowdy Comox Valley fans who made the trek down the island.
The match became a bit of a back-and-forth for the next 20 minutes until a low shot snuck under the legs of the Comox keeper to make it 2–0. VicWest then forced a turnover shortly after the restart, worked their way down the field, and delivered a cross into the six-yard box that found the head of a VicWest player, who nodded it in to widen the lead to three.
VicWest kept up the pressure for the rest of the game. They fired a hard shot that was initially blocked but buried the rebound which was the final action of the match.
Final Score 4-0 VicWest U23s
Other Scores in Div 1
Cowichan 2-0 Bays
Gorge 2-1 Sooke
Nanaimo 0-3 Highlanders
Lakehill 0-6 VicWest
Division 1 Standings
