Two games, two wins in first double-header of the season
It was a chilly Sunday afternoon at the Centennial Bowl - but that didn’t stop both our teams from delivering two excellent wins in front of our fans.
First, it was our women’s team, on the heels of 3 consecutive losses, against the Woodbridge Strikers: one of those early season matches which, while technically not a must-win, it was as important as an early season match could be. Our team came out determined to make it an easy one, and Zoë Rowe scored first, after a great play by Olivia Brown, and then Violet Hipkin increased our lead.
Just before half-time, the defensive mishaps which defined our last few matches reared their head again, and Ida Miceli scored twice in two minutes to tie the game. After the break, both teams kept attacking and creating chances. Woodbridge hit the post twice, while Guelph United missed a couple of solid opportunities, before an excellent offensive play ended with Olivia Brown scoring a beauty - her 6th of the season, and a goal that ended up being the game winner.
The win lifts GUFC up to 6th place in the Premier Division, still with a game in hand over the teams ahead. Next up for our women’s team, a tough away trip on Friday, to 2024 champions NDC Ontario.
Click here for the game’s box score.
In the second match of the day, our men’s team faced Master’s FA, one of our rivals for the promotion spots from the L1O Championship division, and one of two teams in the league who were still undefeated.
It was a very close affair, a hard-fought match in which both teams played an aggressive brand of football, and created plenty of chances to score. The only goal came at the end of the first half, Pero Bandula converting a corner kick with an unstoppable header. Our guests had their own opportunities, but Jack Harrington’s spectacular saves kept the score in our favor.
Guelph United’s win gets us up to 5th place, only 3 points behind the 2nd place - which guarantees promotion to the Premier Division - and with one game still in hand.
Next Saturday, we’ll be back at the Centennial Bowl, for a matchup against Whitby FC - a team that’s tied on points with GUFC.
Click here for the game’s box score.