Sun May 29, 2016 League 1 Ontario L1O--Oakville Blue Devils vs Toronto FC Academy (from League 1 Ontario website)

Late Free Kick By Blue Devils' Jones Narrowly Defeats TFCA 2-1
05/29/2016, 7:15pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

The 2015 League1 Ontario champs Oakville Blue Devils have had 
a difficult start to 2016, but pulled out a 2-1 win at the death 
over a determined Toronto FC Academy side courtesy 
of a Blake Jones (89') free kick. 

"I thought today, for the first time all season we actually 
deserved those three points," said Oakville head coach, 
Duncan Wilde. 

"I took a gamble and played the captain (McNamara) in the 
last 20 minutes, even though he was sick, and I think that 
made a huge difference," he added.  

"He got our shape and organization and we didn’t look like 
conceding after that, just to get a winner. Getting goals 
is something we work on all the time, so we are pleased."

"I thought we showed well of ourselves," said Toronto FC 
head coach, Stuart Neely. "It’s a good young team and 
they’re going to develop and we’re trying to put them 
through to the pro pathway and make sure there are one 
or two players that can be seen at all times."

The Blue Devils were forced to come back in the second 
half after a sluggish start left room for the young academy 
team to find opportunities. The Junior Reds' 
Mirza Custovic (45') finished off a nice move just before 
the interval after threatening with several dangerous 
runs earlier in the half. 

The fortitude of Oakville can never be counted out, and 
the home side shuffled the deck tactically and produced 
a memorable finish for the supporters at Sheridan College.

"As a staff we knew what was going to happen in the 
second half," said Stuart Neely. "They came out with 
a little bit more vigor, a little more sense of urgency. 
We didn’t take care of our responsibilities well and 
our defending."

"We started to panic a little bit as a young group instead 
of being composed and staying with our defensive block 
and playing a passing game. It got away from us."

The current holder of the League1 Golden Boot, 
Felipe Vilela (65') was the first to strike, sinking 
a penalty just after the half-hour mark to level 
the score. 

"We decided in the second to put our second striker 
in and get a little bit forward quicker and that gave 
the young defenders with TFC confusion because we have 
some good size and pace up there," explained Wilde. 

Oakville utilized their size, strength and experience 
to keep the young Toronto FC Academy side under 
pressure, eventually creating another free-kick 
scenario late in the match. Blake Jones (89') strode 
up and made no mistake, putting the finish right 
on the money and the three points firmly 
in Oakville's column. 

"I was very impressed with those young TFC players," 
concluded Wilde. "Individually there’s some really 
good talent and they’ll do what they did last year 
- gel in the second half of the season, have an effect 
on the lead and take points off contending teams."

"It’s a nice looking team and we’re just pleased and 
happy to have taken the result.”

After disappointing losses in the first round 
of the L1 Cup, both teams will move on to matchweek 
six in the league and look to improve their standing. 

Oakville go away to joint-leaders in the western 
division, Sigma FC at Hershey Centre 1, Mississauga 
on June 4 (4 p.m.). 

Toronto FC Academy is also away for matchweek six, 
going to Victoria Park, Brampton on June 4 (7 p.m.) 
to play Pro Stars FC.  

back to 2016 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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