Sat July 9, 2016 League 1 Ontario--Sigma FC vs Durham United FA (from League 1 Ontario website)
Sigma FC And Durham United FA Share The Points After 2-2 Draw 07/09/2016, 9:30pm EDT By League1 Ontario staff Sigma FC were held to a draw on Saturday after a second half strike from Durham United FA's Le Shaun Young (53') and a late own goal cancelled out strikes from Leaford Allen (37') and Jerome Smith (61'). On a tempestuous afternoon, the wind and rain caused all sorts of havoc to the well-laid game-plans from both teams. "There are a lot of variables that go into a game, and one of them is weather," said Sigma head coach, Bobby Smyrniotis. "We had some high winds in the first half and we had to look out. In the second half we got things moving a bit better but then we had some crazy situations with the rain. Overall I thought we were okay, but we weren't at our best." Both teams started the season in terrific form, with their unbeaten streaks only recently snapped by rivals that are gathering form. Durham head coach Sanford Carabin was particularly impressed with the maturity of his players in coming back from one goal deficits twice in the match. "I thought we started off really well in the first half, and the guys had the bit between their teeth and really wanted to win this game," he said. "First half I thought we were well organized until we made a silly mistake and conceded a goal. After that there is always the worry that the team may get down on itself but I think this year we have enough maturity in the team to deal with that and at half-time everyone in the room knew that the goal against was only due to switching off for one second." "That clarity and mentality helped us going into the second half and I thought we showed good resolve by coming back twice in this game. To tie these guys at their own field, I think will help our guys feel it was a well-earned point." Still top of the league, Sigma FC has had to deal with every match seeming like a Cup final. As Smyrniotis pointed out, this presents a different sort of challenge to the players. "We know that every team that is coming to play us is coming with their best, with their A-game as they say, and our guys need to keep their energy levels up for that weekly challenge," he said. "Sometimes that's a tough thing after the start we had to the season, but actually I think this is a very good thing for the team to give us a kick in the butt and the next piece of energy we need for the upcoming phase of the season." Sigma's next game is on July 17 (3 p.m.) at University of Toronto's Varsity Stadium against North Toronto Nitros. Durham United FA will play again on July 16 (6 p.m.) at Kinsmen Park, Pickering against North Mississauga Panthers.
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