Feildians: 1 - St. John's Under 18's : 1 Game Report by Gord Dunphy

St. John's Under 18's - Won't back down !!!

Someone must have forgotten to inform the St. John's Under 18's that they are only playing in the NL Challenge Cup on a exhibitional basis. For the second consecutive day this weekend the U-18's managed a tie against two squads that are basically competing for second place in the overall Provincial Challenge Cup League. On Saturday the U-18's took Mount Pearl to a scoreless draw. On Sunday the U- 18's held the Feildians to a 1-1 score. What amazes me is why this team won't back down from their opponents. Is it a fact that the senior teams don't play physical against these younger kids or the senior teams can't run for the entire 90 minutes with the younger legs of the U-18's? Maybe, it's simply that our senior teams of today are a lot weaker than in years when the Canada Games would compete in the senior league and wouldn't get a look in. To be quite honest, I'm not so sure that by the Challenge Cup League allowing all four teams to make the play-offs, that this format is any good for regular league games. Personally, if I had my way with a four team provincial league,it would be set up so you would have a 24 game schedule. After the completion of 12 games, the fourth place team would be relegated to the intermediate league. This would be followed with three teams playing the remaining 12 game schedule vying for the top two positions. Then finally on Labour Day weekend you would have the top two teams play off in a one game Provincial Championship Showdown. This schedule would generate interest. Every game would be very meaningfull and it wouldn't be the calibre of what I'm witnessing this season.

In today's contest there were two beautiful goals. Both were set up by their respective midfield's .Zack Hynes opened the scoring at the 7 minute mark for the Feildians. Then at the 14 minute it was Aarron Anstey knotting it up at 1-1 . Anstey's goal gives him six on the season, and it ties him for the league scoring with the Feildians, David Webb and Mount Pearl's, Justin Pickford. Both teams played fairly even. Both goalkeepers made a couple of great saves but during the last 10 minutes of the contest, it was the Feildians who pushed hard. But it was a little to late to get motivated as when the final whistle blew both teams were awarded 1 point for their effort.