Scott Edwards joins Holy Cross

Scott Edwards - Photo by Gord Dunphy

Former Marstown United, goalkeeper Scott Edwards, has joined the Holy Cross Challenge Cup Team for the remainder of the 2008 season. Holy Cross are now in dire need of a second goalie after their star goalkeeper, Tyler Putt, who was having a outstanding season, suffered a serious rib injury that may sideline him for the remainder of the season. Scott Edwards brings a ton of experience with him and a Challenge Cup Championship. It appears now as if Edwards and Colin Doyle will now fight it out for the number one starting position with Holy Cross. Both players are veteran goalkeepers and this should make for a interesting watch as the season moves into the final stretch of the first round.

David Beckham

After watching the MLS All- Star game between the MLS All-Stars and the West Ham United Team that game was the best I've ever watched and so were the talents of Beckham. I've learned so much from this game it is unbelievable. I put my focus on Beckham for the entire 90 minutes of the game and the 4 minutes of added time.

The MLS played a 4-4-2 system and Beckham played outside right midfield. He controlled the game. They say, "Bend it like Beckham" and it is unreal how he really can bend it. The way both him and the outside wingback partnered up and took control of the right side of the field was amazing. He was moving the entire game. His fitness level is unparallelled by any athlete in the world. He is competitor once the game is on.The West Ham United Team came to win and gave it their all. They are a very good team.

There is no doubt why this guy is one of the best soccer players in the world and I'll never forget the experience of having seen him play. It was the thrill of a life time.

I would certainly like to thank both of my daughters here in Toronto, Melissa and Lori, for the ticket to game.

Photo's of the game and my visit to the Canadian Soccer Association Hall of Fame to follow.

Gord

Results of Poll - Who is NL Challenge Cups best midfielder?

Rudy Norman - Gord Dunphy photo

Rudy Norman - 67 (42%)

Paul Slaney - 35 (22%)

David Webb - 25 (15%)

Steve Croft - 6 (3%)

Jon Lacey - 2 (1%)

Jeremy Babstock - 8 (5%)

Shane Antle - 12 (7%)

Mark Reddy - 3 (1%)

Votes total: 158

National Under 16 &14 Girls Tournament tournament in Sherwood Park, Alberta. July 22 -27, 2008

NL Under 16 Girls Team - NLSA Photo

Tournament games & results: NL finishes 7th place

Tuesday, July 22 : Ontario 3 - NL 0

Wednesday, July 23 : NL : 7 - PEI : 1

Thursday, July 23: Day off

Friday, July 24 : NL : 2 - Sask - 1

Saturday, July 25 : NL: 3 - NB : 3

Sunday, July 26; NL : 1 vs Man : 1

NL Under 14 Girls Team -NLSA Photo



Tournament games and results: NL girls finishes 9th
Note - NB girls had no representative


Tuesday, July 22: Quebec 6 - NL 0

Wednesday, July 23 : NS 3 - NL 0

Thursday, July 24 : Day off

Friday, July 25 : Sask : 7 - NL: 0

Saturday, July 26 : Day 0ff

Sunday, July 27 : PEI : 1 - NL : 0

National All - Star Under 16 & 14 Boys Tournament played in Brossard,Quebec. July 22 - 27,2008

Under 16 NL Boys Team - NLSA photo


Tournament Games & Scores: NL finishes 7th

Tuesday, July 22 - Quebec: 4 - NL: 0

Wednesday, July 23 - NL : 6 - PEI : 1

Thursday, July 24 - Day off

Friday, July 25 - NL : 4 - Saskatchewan : 0

Saturday, July 26 - NL : 1 - New Brunswick : 1

Sunday, July 27 - NL : 1 - British Columbia : 3

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

Under 14 NL Boys Team - NLSA photo


Tournament Games and Scores * NL finishes in 8th place = 1 win-2 Loss - 2 Tie

Tuesday, July 22 : BC: 2 NL: 0

Wednesday, July 23 - NL: 2 vs NB : 2

Thursday, July 24 - Day off

Friday, July 25 - NL: 2 vs Saskatchewan : 2

Saturday, July 26 - NL: 1 - PEI : 0

Sunday, July 27 - NL: 0 - Nova Scotia : 1

Posting Comments

Notice:

Please be advised all comments to this site are welcomed. However, the only comments that I will be posting are from individuals that has their complete name and address attached to their comments.

Regards
Gord Dunphy

Coach's Corner - Gus Etchegary - Newfoundland's father of soccer

Click the link below from the, "Southern Gazette" to read Gord Dunphy's latest Coach's Corner :

Gus Etchegary - Newfoundland's father of soccer

Major League Soccer All-Star Game, Toronto, Ontario

David Beckham

Gord to see Beckham play!

I arrived in Toronto today to visit my daughters, Melissa and Lori. The surprise that they had for me was a ticket to the MLS All-Star Game on Thurdsay evening. The highlight of the game is going to be the fact that David Beckham is to be in the line-up for the MLS All-Stars. This is Beckham's first appearance in Toronto. The MLS All-Stars are to play West Ham United of the Enlish Premier League. This game is to be played at the BMO Field in downtown Toronto.


2008 MLS All-Stars

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England)
Defenders: Jimmy Conrad (KC) Frankie Hejduk (Columbus) Michael Parkhurst (New England)
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA) Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago) Shalrie Joseph (New England) Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) Robbie Rogers (Columbus)
Forwards: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas) Landon Donovan (LA)

Photos to follow...

NLSA President : Doug Redmound

President of Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association: Doug Redmond

NLSA Executive :
President: Doug Redmond,St. John's
VP Youth: Judi Kelloway, Burin
VP Women: Paul Miller, Mount Pearl
VP Men: Kevin Pittman, St. Lawrence
Treasurer: George Battcock, St. John’s
Secretary:Dave Legrow, Mount Pearl

Directors :
BPSA Director: Shane Dunphy, Marystown
Avalon Director: Wayne Tibbs, St. John's
Western Director: Sharon Langer, Corner Brook
Labrador East Director: Trevor Paine, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
St. John’s Director: Bob Antle, St. John's
Mount Pearl Director: Ron O'Neil, Mount Pearl
Central Director: Chris Murley, Gander
Labrador West Director: Don Stoddart, Labrador City
Conception Bay South Director; Calvin Randell, CBS
Director of Officials: Martin Batterson, Mount Pearl

Staff :
Technical Director: Dragan Mirkovic, St. John’s
Business Manager: Nicole Moores, Mount Pearl

St. Lawrence : 3 Feildians 0: Game Report by Gord Dunphy

Laurentians starting Lineup
Goal - John Douglas
Fullbacks - B. Aylward, R. Slaney, M. Pittman, P. Slaney
Midfield -S. Edwards, D. Pike, R. Norman, R. Kelly, J.Brenton
Striker - Mike Howlett

The Laurentians cruise to a 3-0 victory over Feildians

Things are looking up for the Laurentians after this weekend’s play and a clinching of first place for them is just around the corner. After today’s contest, it now appears that St. Lawrence will probably finish in top position. As a result of my prediction, on Labour Day Weekend, the Laurentians will have a double life. A double life goes to the 1st and 2nd place team after the completion of 20 games in league play. It now appears after two loses this weekend, that the Feildians will struggle to maintain their present seed. Although the Feildians team are an improved team, they have been too inconsistent to put themselves in a position to fight for top spot with the Laurentians.
In today’s contest it looked like the Feildians had checked in at a coaching clinic and they were in awe as to what they saw. The Laurentians amazed the Feildians with their high level of skill. The Laurentians appeared to be running a practise with their opponents. At the 2 minute mark Mike Howlett, who had returned to Laurentians line-up after a lengthy injury, paired up with Richard Kelly and the two of them put on an amazing performance of passing skills. When they were finished their show, they brought young Sean Edwards in with them and the two veterans set up the kid and he scored a beauty from about 16 yards out. This was followed up, ten minutes later, by Rudy Norman who appeared as if he didn’t want to be left out of the skills contest so he put on another impressive show, pushing the ball back and forth to “King Richard” and eventually Richard put it home for a 2nd Laurentian goal. After this drill was completed Paul Slaney illustrated to all that he is back in fine form. He would dribble with the ball, pass the ball and hit it at will to show his level of talent. At the 30 minute mark Johnny Pickett was subbed in for Jeremy Brenton, and before I could write his name on my note sheet, young Sean Edwards set him up on a diagonal pass from the left side of the field and Pickett finished with another goal, showing off his shooting skills. This form of practise continued for the remainder of the half and the Feildians were soundly delivered a message that in no uncertain terms are they near the competitive level of the Laurentians.
The second half saw the Laurentians go through the motions and play with the Feildians squad. The Laurentians subbed in and out on their complete roster throughout this half giving all players an opportunity to get a little quality playing time. As a result there were very few scoring chances. The game got rather boring as the Laurentians bagged their three points and had given the Feildians squad an all-inclusive lesson in soccer.

St. John's U-18's: 0 Mount Pearl: 2

Mount Pearl : 2 St.John's U -18 : 0

Goalscorers : Mount Pearl
Bernie Manning 73 minutes
Mark Reddy 80 minutes
Shutout : Gerald Connolly

As a result of today's contest, Mount Pearl moves back into sole pocession of 2nd place.

More Blind Mice !!!!!!

More Blind Mice photo by Gord Dunphy

St. Lawrence: 2 - Mount Pearl: 2 Game Report by Gord Dunphy June 15

Damien Masterson(left), Shannon Tobin ( middle), David Pitman(right)

St. Lawrence tie Mount Pearl in a " Card Game"

In a game played in Mount Pearl, it was the Laurentian's that barely managed to tie Mount Pearl by a 2-2 score despite Mount Pearl being down two players for nearly 30 minutes. The story of this match had more to do with cards than it ever had to do with soccer. For what ever reason, the cards were stacked against Mount Pearl in this contest right from the opening whistle. It was referee Shannon Tobin who saw fit to issue a total of 7 yellow cards and they were all handed out to Mount Pearl. A fairly mild mannered Chris White received a pair of them. His aggressive, defensive partner Adam Drover also received a pair. Singles were handed out to Justin Pickford, Shannon Francis and Sean Drew. However St. Lawrence were fortunate enough not to draw a single caution in a game that tackles were as frequent as whistles. There is no doubt in my mind who the "Man of the Hour" was for this game and when this occurs the game is generally surrounded by mounting frustration and retaliation. Usually these type of contests ends in controversy and that's exactly what happened today. One could hardly blame Coach Walt Mavin being totally frustrated after the game.

In the opening half, both teams battled hard with very little to choose between each other. At the 23 minute mark, Justin Pickford, the leagues fastest striker, hit on the Laurentian's defence and beat Laurentian's goalkeeper Tristian Slaney for an opening goal. Shortly after that goal Pickford was buzzing in the Laurentian's zone, only this time the Laurentians keeper beat him to the ball and Pickford put up his cleats, and this forced the keeper to leave the game. For this infraction Pickford received his yellow card.The Laurentian's were then forced to bring in their number one goalie, John Douglas, who has a slight injury. Battles continued throughout the first half and remained for the duration of the half but very few quality scoring opportunities arose.
The second half opened with just a minute gone before Mount Pearl received a direct shot outside the Laurentian's 30 yard line. It was Andrew Moyst striking it and he connected on a sleepy looking Douglas. This made the score 2-0 for Mount Pearl. One minute after this goal the referee then went to his deck of cards and issued a card to Chris White. This was his second yellow card and as a result, he was escorted off the field. Twelve minute after this incident, Adam Drover was sent off the field for receiving his second yellow. By now the Mount Pearl team only had 9 players and the Laurentian's began their onslaught by totally outplaying their opponents. But despite their territorial edge in play they couldn't finish and it wasn't until the 84 minute mark before Marc Pittman drilled a shot from nearly 40 yards that Connolly couldn't handle, and the Laurentian's had their first goal.This was followed up by a superb header by Clinton Edwards, in the dying seconds of the match which resulted the game ending in a 2-2 final score.

Feildians- 1 vs St.John's U-18 : 2

Feildians Chris Burry scoring on the St.John's U-18

St.John's U-18 defeat Feildians 2-1 for second consecutive time

What's going on here? For the second consecutive time the St. John's U-18 team has defeated the Feildians team. This is the same identical score this St. John's U-18 team beat the Feildians by in their last contest. The St.John's U-18 are only supposed to be playing in the Challenge Cup League on a exhibition basis and here we have this team, comprised of all youth, embarrassing the Feildians team. Just when it appears the Feildians are for real this season, after coming away from a impressive 4-0 victory over Holy Cross in their last contest during midweek, the Feildians blow an opportunity to move in on first place. This team continues to puzzle me.

Meanwhile the St.John's Under 18 are gaining all kids of respect and it is all their players that are contributing to the success of their team. In today's game it was Scottie Woodfine leading the way for the St. John's U-18 team. Both of Woodfine's goals came in the first half. His first was scored at the the 24 minute mark and his second hit the back of the net just four minutes later at the 28 minute mark. There was no doubt the St.John's Under 18 team took it to the Feildians in the first half and the score reflected it.

However, the second half was a different matter. It was all Feildians. The Feildians started the half with revenge and took it to the youth squad in every aspect of the game. At the 66 minute mark Cris Burry managed to get a shot pass Matthew Bartellas the young keeper and score. For the next 24 minutes it was nail biting time for the fans and coaching staff of the U-18 team. But when the final whistle blew it was hats off to Coach Jimmy Hamyln who coached his St. John's Under 18 team to another victory over the second place Feildians. Hamyln's coaching style has this team prepared for every match. There is no contest that this squad doesn't show up for. Whether his team wins or loses, he is the one coach that I see in our province that got his team playing to their maximum ability and all four of our senior Challenge Cup teams are totally aware of it.

Jubilee Trophy League Play

Holy Cross missed on a penalty shot

Kirby / The Dock 4 Holy Cross 2

In a game played at KGV pitch between the league leading Kirby/The Dock squad and a very stubborn and hard working Holy Cross team, Kirby/The Dock team defeated Holy Cross by a 4-2 score. The Kirby team, who's very skillfull, ran and positioned themselves well while trying to distribute the ball, but the Holy Cross ladies who were playing a more old fashioned guts and determination style, certainly gave the first place Kirby Team a run for their money. Malorie Harris scored on a penalty shot to open the score for the Kirby Team at the 13 minute mark but Holy Cross failed on a golden opportunity when they missed on a penalty shot just five minutes later.This setback to Holy Cross lifted the Kirby Team, and Malorie Harris hit for another beautiful goal as her team demonstrated their passing skills and she showcased her finishing touch at the 25 minute mark. Holy Cross then became very aggressive, preventing their opponents from free wheeling and as a result, at the 44 minute mark, Holy Cross's Maxine Morris, intercepted a ball deep in the Kirby Team's zone and walked in and lobbed a ball over the Holy Cross goalkeeper for a goal. This made the first half score 2-1.

In the second half the Kirby Team opened up, taking it to the Holy Cross team and as a result Laura Breen and Nicole Adams both scored making it 4-1 before the second half was 10 minutes old. But Holy Cross didn't die. They dug down and played with heart to prevent the game from being a run away. With hard work and determination comes results, and at the 65 minute mark Jessica Clarke outworked the Kirby defenders and because of her desire and her teammates second efforts, they virtually carried the ball over the goal line and made the score a very respectable 4-2. For the remaining 15 minutes Holy Cross stayed with their opponents and when the final whistle blew, the Kirby Team remained undefeated but it made them realize that they could be up for a challenge before the season's end.

Check out my new Link : Coast 101.1 FM

http://www.coast1011.com/photos.php

Check out my new Link : Coast 101.1 FM

http://www.coast1011.com/photos.php

Final Results of the Blog's Poll

Which position do you feel that the Laurentians' player, Clinton Edwards, is most effective at while playing for St.Lawrence?

Total Votes - 114

Center back - 84 (73%)

Center midfield - 30 (26%)

Masters Soccer - Coast 101.1 FM http://www.coast1011.com/index.php by Gord Dunphy

Masters Soccer Team Coast 101/Labatt's
http://www.coast1011.com/index.php

Having a kick!!

Master Soccer in St John's is well underway and I must add, it is a very good league. Most teams are fairly competitive but once you get over the age of 35 and decide to play, masters soccer for me is more about the fitness, player togetherness and having a few cold ones with the boys after the game. Now that both myself and my wife Jocelyn are settled in here in St. John's and I'm finished teaching at CONA for the summer , I 've decided to join the masters league for the summer. I've joined the Coast 101/Labatt's team. This team is not all about championships, they work hard and are a great bunch of fellows to play with. No superstars here mind you, mostly a group of good buddies out for a kick.
The amazing thing was when I played my first game last week against Holy Cross I met Johnny Breen at center field, prior to the game, and chatted with him for awhile. In 1974, Johnny Breen played for Brother Rice and I played high school with St.Lawrence, that's 34 years ago. The next game I played was against Mount Pearl, who has Pat Brake, Pat Byrne, and Phil Molloy from St.Lawrence on their roster. Actually,I coached and played with both Phil Molloy and Pat Byrne for years in St.Lawrence. Now these fellows have grown and become good respectable adults. Time does evade us even if we don't realize it.
In today's contest against the Feildians, they had Patty Kennedy donning the double blue colors and certainly a potential future Hall of Famer. Matt Edwards, a former Lawn Shamrock player, also played with the Feildians. I guess when all is said and done, one certainly realizes the value that sport has on one's life and the friendships that you create along the way lasts a lifetime. You may have noticed that I never mentioned any scores. At this point, for me, the score at the masters level are irrelevant but I must add, "I'ts enjoyable again just having a kick"

Master Standings - REGULAR SEASON


Duke of Duckworth/Molson - 7 games played - 6 wins -1 loss = 18 points

Mount Pearl/Rosie OGrady's - 6 games played - 5 wins - 1 loos = 15 points

Holy Cross/The Keg - 7 games played - 3 wins - 2 losses - 2 ties = 11 points

Conception Bay South - 7 games played - 3 wins - 4 losses = 9 points

Coast 101/Labatt's - 6 games played - 2 wins - 3 losses - 1 tie = 7 points

Feildians - 8 games played - 2 wins - 5 losses - 1 tie = 7 points

Air Labrador/Cooper Heating - 7 games played - 1 win - 6 losses = 3 points

Updated July 10, 2008

Paul Miller - Commissioner of Women's NLSA Soccer

Paul Miller - VP of Women's Senior Soccer

This season Provincial Women's Soccer is under new leadership. Paul Miller is the new leader of the Provincial Jubilee League.Connie (Cooper) Mercer, who previously lead the women's sector of provincial soccer, has left our province for employment purposes in Ontario.
Paul Miller has been involved with the sport of soccer for years and is a former President of the Mount Pearl Soccer Association. With a new leader comes new idea's and that's exactly what I see with Paul this year.The Jubilee Provincial Play-offs will no longer be played the same weekend as the Provincial Challenge Cup. Only the women's final will be played on the same day as the men's championship contest. Actually,the Women's Final will be played prior to the Men's Final. I feel this is a great idea indeed.
This year competing for the Jubilee Trophy we have Holy Cross, Paradise Physio/George Street Beer Market/Coors Light. EPR Kirby/The Dock are a new addition to the League. Mount Pearl and St. John's U18's are playing in the league on an exhibition basis. Each team are playing a total of 20 games.
This season there is no doubt that there is quite a lot of talk about the so called women's "Kirby Team". I spoke to Paul about this and he informed me that this team is basically a combined team from last season's Mount Pearl Senior Ladies and the St.John's Billy Boot/Investors Team. These two teams were ranked one and two in last seasons standings. It was these girls that made a decision to combine forces because of the National Championships which is being hosted this year in NL.
Paul Miller brings a great attitude to his position and he is there for the growth and development of women's soccer in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Good Luck Paul !!!

Play-off round will start on August 24th.

Game 1 - 2nd place vs 3rd place

Game 2 - Winner 1 vs 1st place

Game 3 - Loser 1 vs Loser 2

Championship - Winner 2 vs Winner 3