July 16, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Woodbridge Strikers vs Durham United FC (from League 1 Ontario)

  
Woodbridge Strikers 2 - Durham United F.C. 1
. Fri Jul 18 
Written By: Tankovic, Armin  

As a former player of the Woodbridge Strikers, I thought it was an exciting opportunity that my first 
writing assignment would be covering this match.  Having played at almost all levels of soccer 
in Ontario, from OSL to OUA to League1 Ontario, I know first-hand what kind of challenges these 
athletes go through to play at this level. My personal experiences give me a unique perspective 
as a commentator, having been able to combine my passion for football and writing. 

Before the match even began, both teams faced a psychological distraction due to a thirty minute 
delay; the game was moved from the Vaughan Grove grass field to the turf, due to faded lines. 
Fortunately for the Strikers, they could find solace in knowing they were playing on the field 
they actually practice on. 

The game started off with a low pressure approach from Durham, allowing the Strikers' backline 
and defensive midfielders to swing the ball back and forth. However, the first decent chance 
of the game fell to Durham’s lively right winger, Martino Dumevski, as he hit a low drive from 
outside the eighteen, just inches wide of the post. Durham found success building their attacks 
from the right flank but lacked a cutting edge once they found themselves in the Strikers' 
defensive third. 

In the twenty-fifth minute, the Strikers' high pressure approach would pay dividends as they 
forced Durham to cough up possession. The fumbled ball fell right into Cordon’s path, prompting 
him to outmaneuver goalkeeper Benjamin Cowman for the calm finish. After going up 1-0, momentum 
shifted in favor of Woodbridge. Right before the first half whistle, Mario Kovacevic demonstrated 
sublime footwork, weaving through Durham’s defense and unselfishly squaring the ball to Christian 
Cavallini for the easy tap in. 

The second half began with a bang, as Durham’s #7, Shaquille Agard, punished a casual Woodbridge 
defence with a powerful low driven shot. Strangely enough, the game never came to life again 
after this point. Strikers managed to keep solid defensive shape for the remainder of the game, 
while Durham never looked particularly dangerous in the opposition's half; ultimately, the 
experience of the Strikers backline proved to be decisive. Perhaps what helped Woodbridge stay 
defensively disciplined was the substitution of Kovacevic, an attack-minded player, for the 
more conservative Gabriel Sosa. 

This middle-of-the-pack battle came down to Woodbridge simply being more efficient than Durham. 
Although the Strikers did not keep possession as well, they capitalized on Durham’s inability 
to be productive in the final third.

The result of this match means that Woodbridge Strikers remain in fifth place, only one point 
behind Sigma, and Durham dropped to seventh place.

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