The Comox Valley Red Devils U16 Boys soccer team is returning to the Coastal Cup final Sunday in Richmond. The Devils beat the Peace Arch United squad from White Rock to qualify as the Island representative. This is the second time the Devils have been to the finals in their soccer careers. The Comox Valley lads were victorious last time in 2009 and hope to complete their run again as champions, a team spokesperson said.
The Devils have made it this far by winning the North Island and defeating the best from the South Island. In Richmond, the team squares off against Guilford Extreme, a well-organized mainland squad.
"It will be a difficult match and hard to gauge our competition without meeting the team before this year," the spokesperson said.
In the semifinal April 22 the local lads scored first on a brilliant Trenton Cameron run. He beat a defender and wrestled the ball into the net with an opposing player draped on him. How he ever fended off the player is still a mystery. The first half ended one to nil for the home side.
The Devils were well-organized on defence and used sweeper Brad Doig as an option when in difficulty in their own end. Doig stayed at home on defence much to his dismay, with the Devils in the lead and played a standout game as usual.
The Red Devils added to their lead in the second half when multi-sport talented Alec Molander netted the eventual game winner from inside the 18-yard line on a well-placed shot. Foster deWitt made some key saves and controlled the box well for the victory.
Tom Black also deserves a mention for the tough game he played on defence. Bloody and bruised, Black had a smile on his face the whole time. Jerram Gawley also made many 'Messi'-like dangles, some brilliant passes and controlled the midfield beautifully for the Devils.
"It is players like Jerram Gawley that give this sport the title the 'beautiful game.' When Jerram controls the ball it is like poetry in motion, a true soccer talent."
The team would like to thank the support of the community as the sidelines were filled with spectators. They also thank the club for its support and the many volunteers that make these games a reality.
– Comox Valley Red Devils