Tough Sunday in Vaughan for both our Premier teams
We knew it was going to be difficult: two away games at Vaughan Azzurri, whose teams are among the title favorites this season in both men’s and women’s League1 Ontario Premier Division. And, despite some solid performances, both our teams return with tough, frustrating losses, in games in which we played well, but weren’t able to obtain any points.
First, it was our women’s team, who opened the doubleheader at North Maple Field with an extraordinary first 35 minutes, in which Sasha Marikano scored twice to give us a 2-0 lead. Shortly after, a contentious penalty call resulted in Vaughan pulling a goal back, and quickly getting the equalizer. After the half, Vaughan managed another goal, and, despite a couple of chances to equalize from Tori Hinchliffe, it ended with a frustrating 3-2 loss for our side, in a match in which a draw would’ve probably been a deserved result.
Still, there are plenty of positives to take from these first 2 games of the season, in which we held our own against arguably 2 of the best teams in the league. The scheduling is not doing us any favors, however, and next week, we’re playing away again, this time facing the 2023 League1 Ontario Champions, Alliance United.
Vaughan Azzurri - Guelph United 3-2 (2-2)
Goals: Fleming-Thompson (‘37 pen, ‘74), Desa (‘42) / Marikano (‘25, ‘36)
Yellow cards: Peralta / Johnston, Oliveira, Ladhani
Guelph United: Carreiro - Burke, Van Der Laan (‘82 Knafelc), Crichton, Ladhani - Canning (‘82 VanderHoef), Oliveira (‘66 Hipkin), Johnston (‘73 Ward) - Brown (‘64 Sealy), Marikano (‘77 Hinchliffe), Rizakos.
In the second match of the day, our men’s team was unable to overcome the absence of 8 senior players, including Carter Robart, who is in England training with the Fleetwood Town International Academy, and top goalscorer Jared Agyemang, and started poorly against an in-form Vaughan side. We conceded in the 15th minute, after a great strike from Raheem Rose, and, despite the match being close in terms of possession, it was Vaughan who had the best chances to score. Right after the half, Gray Yates equalized with a wonderful shot from outside the box, but only 2 minutes later, Vaughan took the lead again. The end of the match saw our team dominate, but ineffectively, especially after our lone remaining striker (with Agyemang unavailable and Donart Beqiri suspended), Aiden Borges, had to be subbed off after an injury.
Next week, we have our first “home” match of the season, against Burlington SC, which will be played on the stadium of our new affiliate club in Cambridge, Oriental Sport Club. Season ticket holders have this match included in their package, and we will also provide all season ticket holders a free shuttle bus to and from Oriental Park in Cambridge - timing details to follow later this week.
Vaughan Azzurri - Guelph United 3-1 (1-0)
Goals: Rose (‘15), Sabbatasso (‘49), Campoli (‘64) / Yates (‘46)
Yellow cards: Santos, Rose, Begley / Cordeiro
Red card: Kular (‘90) / -
Guelph United: Findlay - Bain (‘77 Rioux), Green, Fernandez, Davison, Gander (‘90 Koenig-Parris) - Marchant - Cabral, Cordeiro (‘82 Ostrun), Yates - Borges (‘55 Garcia).
2024 Season Tickets can now be purchased from our shop. They include all 19 league home matches played at the Centennial Bowl, for both our men’s and women’s teams, as well as the home match in Cambridge (including free transportation), plus the 2 confirmed L1 Cup home games.
That’s a total of 22 matches, with prices starting at only $65, for adults, and $30, for kids and seniors. Get yours now!