July 12, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Sigma FC vs Kingston Cataraqui Clippers (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Sigma FC 9 - Kingston Cataraqui Clippers 1
. Sun Jul 13 
Written By: Hylton, Kamal  
 
A Cyle Larin hat-trick highlighted Sigma FC’s 9-1 victory over the visiting Kingston Cataraqui Clippers 
at Hershey Centre in Mississauga on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a performance that coach Bobby Smyrniotis was justifiably happy with.

“When you look at the result the team has to have done a few things right,” said Smyrniotis. “Going into 
the second half we needed to be sharper and it showed within the first fifteen minutes in the goals that 
were scored, so we’re happy from that aspect.”

The Clippers started the game well, getting positive play down the wings through Tommy Hong and Luke Phye, 
resulting in set plays that tested Sigma goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh. 

However, the common theme of the game was high pressure from Sigma’s front three of Larin, Emery Welshman 
and Justin Stoddart. 

This constant threat gave the Kingston defence considerable problems and led to the opening goal, a defensive 
mix up in the seventh minute that saw Welshman latch onto the loose ball and easily finish past keeper 
Thomas Daechsel giving Sigma a 1-0 lead. 

Scoring an early goal gave Sigma noticeable energy, and they continued to work the ball around the midfield, 
creating angles and playing combinations that got other players, like midfielder Alex Halis, involved.

The positive play and pressing style saw the hosts score a second goal twelve minutes later, with Larin 
getting on the board after pouncing on a rebound created by Daechsel, who spilled a shot from long range. 

However, the Clippers responded immediately, pulling one back in the twentieth minute through Timothy Campos, 
who got on the end of a quick break down the left side and finished smartly, beating Ranjitsingh to his left 
side to make it 2-1. 

That goal gave the away side a spark and they nearly levelled the score moments later through a Campos free 
kick that struck the crossbar. 

Sigma regrouped and would add a third goal in the twenty-ninth minute, with Larin working his way down the 
right side and beating his defender before squaring the ball to Halis, who fired it in the top left corner 
to make the score 3-1 going into the break. 

It was Kingston that started the second half the brighter of the two sides, with chances from set pieces 
and testing opportunities created by Hong, Antonios Assaad and Oliver Coren.

Just when it looked like the visitors were going to make this a close game, three Sigma goals in quick 
succession, from the 54th to 56th minute, essentially ended the contest. Halis would get a second goal, 
which was sandwiched around a pair of Larin tallies that gave the big forward a hat-trick. 

Larin's second goal of the game stemmed from good work down the left wing through Stoddart and Kwame Awuah, 
resulting in the fullback Awuah delivering a good cross that Larin only needed to tap in.  His third marker 
was scored as a result of nice work by Welshman that freed Larin for an initial shot, that Daechsel stopped.  
However, Larin made no mistake with the rebound, directing it neatly into the goal. 

Larin's performance wasn’t lost on his coach. 

“He’s finding his groove over the last couple of weeks after dealing with injuries,” Said Smyrniotis. 
“We shut him down for three weeks but he's coming back slowly and we’re seeing the results.”

Welshman and substitutes Jordan Stoddart and Lucas Ferritto would cap off the day with three more goals 
for Sigma. 

The goals aside, Sigma’s injuries in defence saw some players forced to step up and play out of position, 
something that Ranjitsingh recognizes was key to the result. 

“I think our defence was pretty solid [considering the injuries],” Said Ranjitsingh. “Our two central 
defenders today [Giuliano Frano and Manny Morgado] are actually defensive midfielders. Even though they’re 
playing out of position, I think those two guys are coming along.” 

It’s difficult to take much of anything out of 9-1 defeat, but for coach Kingston Chris Eveleigh, there 
are some small aspects that can be built upon.

“The players continued to do what myself and Jason [Assistant Coach Jason Massie] asks them to do, which 
is play a good style of game and play in the right way.” Said Eveleigh. “Sigma proved today that it’s 
possible to play that way, we matched them for certain parts of the game but a 9-1 score line 
is difficult.”

“When you get to 2-1, 3-1, 4-1 down it’s about shutting up shop and the lads weren’t wise enough 
to do that today,” Said Eveleigh. “We need to learn sometimes that its best to get behind the ball and 
stop them from scoring first and foremost.”

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