Holy Cross Bursts Feildians Bubble

HC: 3  vs  Feildians: 2


Holy Cross Bursts Feildians Bubble

Right from the opening whistle you could see that there was a lot on the line in this Wednesday evening contest. Before the match was one minute old, Feildians, Mike Delong erred on a clearing ball and Zack Wade accepted the gift and opened the scoring for Holy Cross. With a blink of the eye the score was 1 -0 for Cross. This miscue initially shocked the Feildians team but some great leadership by Greg Reid and Zack Hynes allowed the Double Blues to regain their composure. At the 11 minute mark young Ian Gamba beat the Holy Cross keeper to tie the score at 1 -1. After this both teams continued to impress and work the ball down low while demonstrating extraordinary passing skills. There was also a physical element of the game being displayed. Then at the 23 minute mark Holy Cross newcomer, Hassan Kamara put on a  short skills program while at the same time beating Delong for a 2-1 Holy Cross lead. This lead would remain for the first half but it wasn't for the want of Feildian scoring opportunities. It was one step too many in the box, which hurt and caused the Feildians a second goal in the first half. However,  it was a great half of soccer.

The second half illustrated more great soccer. This time at the 53 minute mark  Zack Hynes,  Molson Challenge Cup Player of the Month for June, ran practically the whole length of the field. This was followed by a great assist in setting up Ian Gamba for his second goal of the match and now knotting the game at 2 -2.  Feildians  continued to press and Holy Cross continued to counter attack and were very dangerous with their deliveries. At the 75 minute mark  Tyler Kirby, who is now starting to make a mark in the goal-scoring department, picked up a Shawn Henderson rebound to score giving Cross a 3 -2 lead.  However, Feildians didn't stop there. They continued to battle , kick and bite for the tying goal. In the dying moments Mike Dawe welted a glorious opportunity off the Holy Cross crossbar as he had Thomas Pieroway beaten all the way. When the final whistle blew Holy Cross may have burst Feildians bubble but the Feildians did show they are for real in 2016.     

Game Summary

Zack Wade (HC) : 1 minute

Iaim Gamba (F) : 11 minutes

Hassan Kamara (HC) : 23 minutes 

Iaim Gamba (F) : 53 minutes

Tyler Kirby (HC) : 75 minutes

Are the 1st place Feildians for real ?

Are the 1st place  Feilians for real?

Holy Cross may very well  answer this question  for us tonight at 7. Currently, the Feildians are on a seven game undefeated stretch and that stretch all started when Feildians upended Holy Cross 2 -1 way back on May 21.Since then the Double Blues have looked very good in beating Corner Brook at home twice, CBS : three times and the NL Canada Games once.

During this period the Double Blues, Zack Hynes has gone on a goal scoring spree , scoring eight goals to place him second in the overall goal scoring circuit. Now comes the real test and it starts off right where it all began and that's against Holy Cross on KGV. This is followed up by the Feildians playing their next four matches against Mount Pearl, Corner Brook and a double header in St. Lawrence.

 There is no doubt that Holy Cross will be out for revenge tonight against their Capital rivals as well as to try to regain 1st place in the league. After all Holy Cross has been pretty dominant for the past seven seasons. They have six Provincial Challenge Cups in that span . However, getting back to tonight's game this will give one a good indication of whether the Feildians are for real in 2016 or they just had a very good break in the schedule.

Mount Pearl : 6 vs CBS : 0

Ronaldo Morris - Brandon Noseworthy - Scotty Woodfine - Tyler Forsey

Mount Pearl: 6 vs CBS: 0

It was a beautiful day here on the Avalon on Saturday and it was absolutely gorgeous in CBS. What added to this day was a game of soccer and the condition of Nugent's Field. The field was in fantastic shape.  After watching nearly 90% of our league games on turf fields, players are starting to get an appreciation for to play on real grass fields. These comments were sure relayed to me yesterday evening at Nugent's. Well guys you all need to do some practicing and have yourselves prepared for the real grass fields because that's what the playoffs are going to be played on, on Labor Day Weekend, when St. Lawrence hosts the 2016 Provincial Playoffs.

Well lets get back to the game. The score definitely indicates that it was all Mount Pearl on the score-sheet, Tyler Forsey booted three, Ronaldo Morris who is having a breakout year dented the twine twice and Scott Woodfine  scored his third of the season. However, play-wise, CBS had their moments. In the first half the boys from the shore had three glorious opportunities but failed to capitalize. Once CBS's Tony Pomroy learns the game, he is full of vim nand vinegar for sure, he could be a scoring threat.  CBS definitely made Brandon Noseworthy earn his shutout, he mad a few great saves.   Both teams played the ball nice, both teams were attempting to work the ball and distribute it rather than just forcing it. I must add the grass pitch allows this skill much better than turf does Myself, I much prefer a grass pitch over turf. However, it's imperative in Newfoundland we have a great number of  turf fields because of the shortness of our summer. Actually, every region of the province should have one.  After chatting with CBS Coach Gary Forsyt, at the match, he did say he thinks it may be a 5 -10 year plan to make CBS competitive. His main objective, at this point, is to expose the region to Challenge Cup soccer and learn how to play the game at the Premium Level while developing their young players. 

 

A different look Scotty Woodfine

Scotty Woodfine 

A different look Scotty Woodfine

For the past number of years it was Scotty Woodfine donning the Holy Cross red and gold. Now, Scotty Woodfine is wearing the yellow and black representing Mount Pearl. When Scotty initially came on the Challenge Cup scene he was the best  kid in the league .  Actually, in Woodfine's first season he won the NLSA Challenge Cup Rookie of the year honors. In Scotty's first two season's with Holy Cross, this young man played extremely well at the Nationals. He was a kid, definitely showing promise.... a young man who looked like he was going to be a future star in the Molson NLSA Challenge Cup League. But since then Scot has sort of got caught up with the number's game with Holy Cross. His playing role with Holy Cross had diminished plus Woodfine showed signs that he was beginning to struggle. He and he was no longer the kid with superstar potential. But as we all see with the pro's sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery. When I heard Scotty was going to Mount Pearl this season I was shocked, definitely I was  a little taken back. But now after looking at Scotty play this season  and talking to him at the field, I feel his change is the best thing he could ever have done. Thus far he has contributed with three goals and is is a great setup man for Tyler Forsey and Justin Pickford. The young man is playing regular and playing with confidence and above all I see Scotty Woodfine smile has returned.

My niece, Lindsey Stapleton at Euro 2016 : June 22 - 2016

Portugal: 3 vs Hungary :3

 Euro 2016

Matt Kelly & my niece Lindsey Stapleton

at

Portugal vs Hungary match

The Fans - Wow !

Feildians move into a tie for 1st

Feildians : 2 vs CBS : 1

CBS Goalkeeper, Brandon Sheppard,  make a PK save 

on Feildians Bobby Ganda

Game Summary

Ben Collingwood : Feildians 15"

Troy Pomroy : CBS  45 "

Ben Collingwood : 61 "

2016 Challenge Cup Standings as of June 22 - 2016

Team	Games Played	Wins	Losses	Ties	Goals For	Goals Against	+/-	Points
St. Lawrence Labatt Laurentians	8	6	2	0	22	7	+15	18
Holy Cross Kirby Group	7	5	1	1	20	4	+16	16
Feildians	8	6	2	0	22	12	+10	18
Mount Pearl First Choice Haircutters	8	3	4	1	10	11	-1	10
Steers Insurance Corner Brook United	8	1	5	2	7	18	-11	5
CBS That Pro Look Strikers FC	9	0	7	2	2	26	-24	2
NL Canada Games Gerry O'Brien Financial	2	1	1	0	3	8	-5	3

Challenge Cup Scoring Leaders

Player	Team	Goals
Stefan Slaney	St. Lawrence	11
Zach Hynes	Feildians	8
Tyler Kirby	Holy Cross	5
Zack Wade	Holy Cross	4
Hassan Kamara	Holy Cross	3
Sean Drew	St. Lawrence	3

Molson Challenge Cup Action : June 18 -19 , 2016

Molson Challenge Cup Scores ---June 19 /16

 St. Lawrence :4 at Corner Brook: 1

GS : St. Lwarence 
Stefan Slaney (3) , Sean Drew (1)

GS: Corner Brook
Lyde Griffin ( PK) -- See photo above

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 Stefan Slaney - Hat-trick


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 Holy Cross : 0 at Mount Pearl : 0

Shutouts: Thomas Pieroway ( HC) 
& 
Brandon Noseworthy (MP)

 Brandon Noseworthy (MP)

Thomas Pieroway (HC)




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Molson Challenge Cup Scores ---June 18 /16

 St. Lawrence : 3 at Corner Brook : 0   

Goalscorers: St. Lawrence
Stefan Slaney : 16 "
Evan Myles : 48 "
Sean Drew : 57 "

Shutout : John Douglas 

Father's Day

 

Gord Dunphy Sr.

Congratulations to Russ Murphy --- Re : Seniors Of Distinction Award

http://www.southerngazette.ca/News/Local/2016-06-17/article-4563440/Marystown%26rsquo%3Bs-Russ-Murphy-honoured-with-Seniors-of-Distinction-Award/1

Rick Farrell - Russ Murphy - Gord Dunphy

Russ Murphy - Rick Farrell -Gord Dunphy

Pete Soucy - Russ Murphy

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Tribute to Russ Murphy
by
Gord Dunphy  

Myself, I never have meet a man who is more of an Honorable individual than is Russ Murphy. When I first met him, I like the fact that he made me earn everything which I would accomplish with him. He is a true statesmen for VOCM/CHCM, a true gentleman and indeed a very honorable man to receive this prestigious award. I was honored in 2008 to have Russ by my side when we were both inducted into the BPSA HOF. He is an exemplary Newfoundland and Labradorian. 

Congratulations Russ !

Both Russ and myself were inducted into the
Burin Peninsula HOF in 2008

 
Russ and his wife Margaret

Meet Ronald Manet

Ronald Manet 

Ronald Manet is currently St. Pierre and Miquelon's Regional Representative on the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association. Today I had the opportunity to sit down with Ronald and discuss his involvement with soccer at the SPM and NLSA levels.  Ronald himself has quite an impressive resume. He been involved with the grand old game of soccer in many forms for nearly 50 years. He said." He is now at a point that he is  taking his current position year by year and will make a decision whether he will carry on as SPM Rep at the end of his term in 2017".

Ronald has seen a lot of changes in soccer over the years but he is very proud to say that SPM still maintains a three club system.  Both ASSP and ASIA operate out of St. Pierre while ASM operates out of Miquelon. He did emphasize that the cost of running soccer now is a major issue for all teams in SPM. However, he  bragged that all three of those clubs still  continue to participate in both minor and senior soccer programs.He said girls soccer in SPM has taken off big time over the years in SPM He informed me that ASSP is presently the dominant men's team followed by ASIA and then Miquelon. The SPM clubs  participate in the NLSA Provincial Mega Tournaments at the minor level and their senior teams play at the Provincial Intermediate Level.

 

2016 Challenge Cup Standings

 

 

Team	Games Played	Wins	Losses	Ties				Points
Holy Cross Kirby Group	6	5	1	0				15
Feildians	7	5	2	0				15
St. Lawrence Labatt Laurentians	6	4	2	0				12
Mount Pearl First Choice Haircutters	7	3	4	0				9
Steers Insurance Corner Brook United	6	1	3	2				5
CBS That Pro Look Strikers FC	8	0	6	2				2
NL Canada Games Gerry O'Brien Financial	2	1	1	0				3

Challenge Cup Scoring Leaders

Player	Team	Goals
Zach Hynes	Feildians	8
Stefan Slaney	St. Lawrence	7
Tyler Kirby	Holy Cross	5

Feildians move into 1st place

Jaylen McCurbin - Michael Delong - Aaron Buckingham

Feildians move into 1st Place

On Sunday, at the Topsail Field in CBS , Feildians defeated the hometown by a 2-0 score. It was the Feildians fifth consecutive victory, Their first win came in game three of their regular season for the Double Blues. They upset Holy Cross by a 2-1 score. This definitely got the ball rolling and it's been nothing but wins for the Feildians ever since. The win moves the Feildians first overall in the Molson challenge Cup League. 

On Sunday, the game was fairly competitive and evenly played. Both teams exchanged quality chances in the first half but bith teams failed on golden opportunities and couldn't capitalize on their chances. The second half saw the Feildians showing better control and as a result they dented the twine on two occasions.  Feildians. Jaylen McCurbin broke the games goose egg at the 57 minute mark from a beautiful shot. The Feildians second marker came off the boot of Aaron Buckingham at the 82 minute mark. It was another dandy.It was Michael Delong in net picking up his first shut-out of the season.   

Laurentians show Mount Pearl who's boss.

St. Lawrence vs Mount Pearl   ( Ernie Lundrigan Photo)

Laurentians show Mount Pearl who's boss.

St. Lawrence Laurentians defeated Mount Pearl in back to back games to move into a tie with Holy Cross in Molson Challenge action this past weekend. On Saturday the Laurentians got four unanswered goals. Stefan Slaney and Sean Drew scored first half goals. While Jon Grant and Jordi Slaney scored in the second before Scott Woodfine broke the Laurentians shutout at the 73 minute mark and the home town boys defeated Mount Pearl 4 -1 .

On Sunday, the Laurentians again took control of the game early with Clinton Edwards scoring on a penalty shot on the 13 minute mark. Mike Gregory put the Laurentians up by 2 -0 at the 19 minute mark. Mark Reddy made it close at the 67 minute mark scoring on a penalty shot. Five minutes later, Stefan Slaney scoring his second of the weekend to seal a 3-1 victory.  

Mount Pearl blanks CBS 4 -0

Brandan Noseworthy 

Mount Pearl: 4 vs CBS :0

Mount Pearl Goalscorers: 

Jonothan Leike: 6" & 56 ", Scott Woodfine: 48 " , Tyler Forsey : 53"

Mount Pearl Shutout : Brandan Noseworthy

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MOLSON

Challenge Cup Standings

Holy Cross : 12

Feildians : 12 

Mount Pearl : 9

St. Lawrence : 6

Corner Brook : 5

CBS : 2

Challenge Cup Top Goalscorers

Zack Hynes (Feildians)  : 8

Stefan Slaney (SL) : 5

Tyler Kirby (HC) : 4

Meet Nicholas Hibbs

 

Nicholas Hibbs

Nicholas Hibbs recently turned 4 years old is a big sports boy who loves playing soccer and swimming. For his birthday I gave him a soccer  ball hoping to get the young guy further hooked on the sport of soccer. Nickolas is also a big fan of astrology who just loves to going to the Geo-center.  Hopefully, someday I will see Nicolas playing in our Provincial Challenge Cup League. Nicholas is the son of Dennis and Erica Hibbs.    

Feildians and Holy Cross tied for first

Sunday June 5, 2016

 Zack Hynes

Zack Hynes lights up Corner Brook

Zack Hynes had the best offensive weekend of his career in Corner Brook this past weekend after scoring a pair of goals on Saturday and striking for a hat-trick on Sunday. Hynes five goal outburst this weekend moves him into first place in the overall goal-scoring department with eight goals in six games. The Double Blues defeated Corner Brook in both games by identical 4-1 scores. Hynes three goals in Sunday's match were all scored in the second half. Both of his goals on Saturday came in the second half as well. Feildians, veteran Mike Dawe scored their teams fourth goal. Tiuri Lomond scored the lone Corner Brook marker. Feildians six point week-end now moves them into first place tied with Holy Cross,both teams now have 12 points each. Holy Cross does have a game in hand.

GAME SUMMARY

Feildians Ernst & Young : 4 Steer Insurance Corner Brook United :1

Goal scorers (Feildians):  Zack Hynes  (3) : 47”, 54”, 56” ,  Mike Dawe  : 76”

 Goal scorers (CB): Tiuri Lomond  : 75 “

 

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Holy Cross blank CBS by a 5-0 score

Holy Cross 5 vs CBS 0

Jack Haywood / Thomas Pieroway 
recorded the shutout

Tyler Kirby

Holy Cross 5 vs CBS 0

It was pretty well all Holy Cross as Cross blanked CBS 5-0 Sunday afternoon at KGV in an afternoon matinee. The busiest man at the pitch was the CBS keeper. He was simply outstanding throughout the match. Holy Cross attack was led by Tyler Kirby, he scored a pair for the Crusaders. His goals came  at the  65 & 85 minute mark. Holy Cross singles came off the boot of  Hassan Kamara and John Hawco. Andrew Stanford had the neatest goal for the afternoon. He scored on a  beautiful header at the 67 minute mark. Thomas Pieroway started in net for Holy Cross but in the second in was a young kid, Jack Haywood, who is showing quite the  promise in the St. John's  minor, completing the game for Holy Cross.

GAME SUMMARY

Holy Cross Kirby Group: 5 vs CBS That Pro Look Strikers FC : 0

Goal scorers (Holy Cross):  Tyler Kirby (2) : 65”, 85”, Hassan Kamara  : 25”,

John Hawco : 63”, Andrew Stanford : 67”

Shutout (Holy Cross) : Thomas Pieroway  / Jack Haywood

=======================

Molson Challenge Cup Standings

 Holy Cross: 12 points

Feildians: 12 points

St. Lawrence : 6 points

Mount Pearl : 6 points

Corner Brook : 5 points

CBS : 2 points

Molson Challenge Cup  Leading Goal Scorers

Zack Hynes ( Feildians)  : 8 goals

Stefan Slaney ( St. Lawrence ) : 5 goals

Tyler Kirby (Holy Cross ) : 4 goals 

Zack Hynes Paces Feildians to a 4 -1 victory over Corner Brook

Zack Hynes 

Feildians : 4 vs Corner Brook : 1 

Zack Hynes led the Feildians, scoring two goals, to their third straight victory of the season and moved the Feildians into a tie with Holy Cross for first place in the overall standings.The Double Blues had been shut-out in their first two games of the season.  Jaylen McCurbin opened the scoring at the 4 minute mark for the Feildians while Logan McIssac replied for Corner Brook at the 11 minute mark.  Feildians ,Ian Gamba struck at the  29 minute mark giving Feildians a 2-1 lead, a lead that they would not relinquish in this game.  The second half saw Zack Hynes taking control of the contest, scoring his forth and fifth goals of the season. Veteran, Hynes scored at the 47 minute mark and completed the scoring at the 84 minute mark giving Feildians a 4-1 final. Both teams will hit the field again on Sunday at 12 . Although, it's early in season, one could say it's a must win for Corner Brook if they have any intentions of vying for a play-off spot.

Meet Bob Lenarduzzi

(L-R) Bob Lenarduzzi

Bob Lenarduzzi -  Canada's Greatest Soccer Ambassador.

At the NLSA Partnership signing I had the honor of meeting Bob Lenarduzzi . Bob is currently the president of the Vancouver Whitecaps. He was a former North American Soccer Star who played as a defender. He played from 1974 to 1984 with his hometown Whitecaps and is the all-time leader in games played with 312. He is the only Canadian to win North American Soccer League Player of the Year Award. Internationally , he represented Canada 47 times. As a player/coach ,he won four straight Canadian Soccer League Championhips and was twice named CSL Coach of the year. After his playing/coaching days he went on to coach the Canadian National and Olympic soccer teams. 

After his brief introduction at the " NLSA Partnership Deal" he spoke about playing in St. John's in 1985 when Canada last qualified for the World Cup. He vividly recalled about NLSA's Angus Barrett being on the CSA Board of Directors at that time.  Myself, I had the opportunity to have a  great chat with Bob. We sort of drifted around talking about everything, not necessary all soccer.  He asked me about Newfoundland being referred to as  the Rock,  I explained to him why we come from the "Rock". I told him that now we are officially Newfoundland and Labrador and don't forget when your speaking and I did noticed  whenever both him and his brother referred to our association, it was always the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association. I chatted to him about when we , the Laurentians, played in Chilliwack in 1999 and we won bronze. I also told him about my visit to Surrey BC. I had brief chat with him about my spinal surgery. All in all, he really came across as a descent guy. For me personally, I would have to say Bob Lenarduzzi is a Canadian soccer legend, a very distinguished gentleman , a person who I consider as  Canada's Greatest Soccer Ambassador.

NLSA & Vancouver Whitecaps sign deal

(L-R) Emcee - Colleen McConnell

( L-R) Bob Lenarduzzi - PVWC, Sam Lenarduzzi - PDVWC, 

Doug Redmound - PNLSA, Mike Power - PDNLSA

NLSA Signs Partnership With Vancouver Whitecaps

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PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE 
NLSA PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 

WITH THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

Loraine Michael - MHA Signal Hill - QV was at the signing

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