July 30, 2019 League 1 Ontario--Summary of Sunday Games (from League 1 Ontario website)
Oakville, Masters, Vaughan and Alliance Sit Pretty In Playoff Territory After Matchweek 13 07/30/2019, 5:45pm EDT By League1 Ontario staff Oakville, Masters, Vaughan and Alliance sit pretty in playoff territory after Matchweek 13 - with Alliance maintaining pole position and an undefeated season with only two matches to go - as all sides head into their final two-game stretch before playoffs commence. ........................................................................................ Oakville Blue Devils FC picked up three points to remain in the hunt for first place in the League1 men's division - with only two matches remaining in the regular season - as they dispatched Toronto Skillz FC 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Birchmount Stadium. The away side raced out to an early lead as Brandon Duarte (4') headed in his seventh goal of the season. Reshon Phillip (42') chipped in as well, placing his finish past Skillz's goalkeeper Jesus Carbajal, to give the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead in the first half. Oakville dictated the match from the outset, dominating possession in the first half. They fired nine shots, including three on target, comparted to Skillz's one shot away from the net. Evan James (66', 78') subbed in for Philips in the 60th minute and made quick work of his substitution. The forward scored after a costly Toronto turnover, going one-on-one with the keeper and converting. James would later notch his team-leading eight goal of the season in the 78th minute. With an Alliance FC loss or draw in the final two matches, Oakville can move into the top spot in the standings. Oakville Blue Devils FC will next play Alliance United FC on August 11 (4 p.m.) at Sheridan Trafalgar Campus, Oakville. Toronto Skillz FC will next play Sigma FC on August 10 (4 p.m.) at Paramount Fine Foods Centre, Mississauga. (Melvin Gomez) .......................................................................................... Woodbridge Strikers continued their climb up the table toward playoff contention after a 3-0 victory over Ottawa South United on Sunday at Vaughan Grove. The home team exerted control of the game with quick speed, not letting off the gas pedal until the final whistle to put them on the cusp of making the League1 Ontario playoffs with two games to go. Lucas Puntillo (2') dribbled in from the left wing, quickly shifting to his right before curling his shot into the top corner to open the scoring. Later in the half, Cristian Cavallini (30') hit a free-kick along the ground, swerving it around the wall and into the bottom corner out of the reach of the Ottawa goalkeeper, Alexander Dimock. Woodbridge continued to press as the half went on, but Dimock stepped up in the 38th minute to tip Mathew Santos' shot over the crossbar. The Woodbridge forward was stopped once again by Dimock when he dove to stop a shot that was destined for the corner. The goalkeeper's heroics left the scoreline at 2-0 to end the first term. The energy calmed down in the second half as the scorching sun drained most of the players. Both teams played patiently as they looked to preserve their stamina. In the dying minutes of the game, Ottawa captain Ali Jabara tackled a Woodbridge attacker in the box, conceding a penalty and earning a yellow card in the process. Santos (90') placed his spot kick into the corner as Dimock dove the opposite way, ending the game at 3-0. Woodbridge goalkeeper Michael Markac finished the day with one save and a clean sheet, his second of the season. Woodbridge Strikers (6-6-1) are in ninth place. They're level with FC London on 19 points, but London hold the tiebreaker advantage in head-to-head records. Woodbridge's goal differential is at +6 (23 GF, 17 GA). Woodbridge SC will next play Durham United FA on August 9 (8 p.m.) at Kinsmen Park Football Field, Pickering. Ottawa South United (0-12-1) remain winless with one point. Their goal differential is at -24 (1 GF, 25 GA). Ottawa South United will next play Darby FC on August 9 (8 p.m.) at the Whitby Soccer Centre, Whitby. .............................................................................................. On a scorching hot Sunday afternoon at Stewart Burnett Park, Aurora FC hosted Masters FA in a match with heavy playoff implications. The teams were drawn at 21 points in the league table, but Masters had a game in hand over Aurora. Aurora FC opened the scoring early when Nicholas Machado (8') volleyed a rebound into an open net. The ball was crossed from the right side of the 18 yard box where Masters' goalkeeper Spiridon Koskinas did well to make the initial diving stop, however the rebound landed right on the right foot of Machado. Masters responded when Francis Ameyaw (19') scored his first of two goals. He converted on a through ball from his central midfielder, burying it just inside the left post from the far right side of the box. Ameyaw (49') then scored his second of the match after he was left wide open in front of the net to tap in a low cross from the right side. Masters were able to hold on to their lead and secured a 1-2 victory on the road. The match was extremely back-and-forth, as neither team sustained pressure in their attacking third for lengthy periods. Both teams' defensive lines had immense performances in this match, as they were able to not only break up possession, but also able to send their forwards on numerous counter attacks - most of which were in turn broken up by the opposing back-line. Masters' goalkeeper was a star for his side. Koskinas was able to come up with timely saves to keep his squad in the match. In the 35th minute, when the score was tied at one a piece, Koskinas made an incredible diving stop on Machado. The Aurora forward had snuck behind the Masters' defenders and was able to get a powerful hit at the net. Koskinas again made a diving stop in the 57th minute off a header from Aurora's striker, Felipe Vilela, this time to preserve his side's lead. Aurora FC’s goalkeeper Ryan Collins, though not flashy with his saves, was extremely solid in dangerous situations and was able to stop eight shots on target. Aurora's defence played a large part in limiting the number of threatening situations, but Collins was in position each time the ball came towards the net. With the victory, Masters jump to 5th in the league table. Masters will next play Unionville Milliken SC on August 10 (7 p.m.) at Mt. Joy Field, Markham. Aurora FC will next play FC London on August 11 (6 p.m.) at Stewart Burnett Park, Aurora. (Felix Chau) .................................................................................................... Alliance United FC remain undefeated and at the top of the leaderboard after a 3-1 win over Vaughan Azzurri on Sunday. Vaughan grabbed an early lead when Massimo Ferrin's corner found the head of Jarek Whiteman (8') at the near post and he buried it into the back of the net. Alliance would equalize when Nikola Stakic (17') was taken down in the box by a trailing marker in Vaughan's Alexander Zis, the referee wasting no time in pointing to the penalty spot. Stakic calmly stepped up and finished into the bottom right corner. Alliance would add another before the half, when Anselmo Kim's cross from the left side found Chris Jacovou (41') in the box and he smashed the volley into the back of the net. The two teams had equal chances on goal in the first half and shared possession with most of the play happening in the middle third of the pitch. Second half action began with a third Alliance goal. This time it was Kenny Lioutas (52') steering the free-kick from the left side of the pitch into the top right corner of the goal – definitely a contender for goal of the year. Shortly after, Vaughan went down to ten men after a red card was issued to left-back Daniel Cramarosa. Alliance could've had another couple goals as they placed five shots on target, all of which were saved by the Vaughan goalkeeper, Matt George. Vaughan struggled to find their way back from Alliance's third goal, despite holding quite a bit of possession in the last 20 minutes of the match, even with ten men. Alliance United FC will next play Oakville Blue Devils on August 11 (4 p.m.) at Sheridan College, Oakville. Vaughan Azzurri will next play Pro Stars FC on August 11 (8 p.m.) at North Maple Regional Park #1, Vaughan. (Irene Halis)
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