On Tuesday May 17 Top Notch United took on Laichwiltach United in Men's Spring league Soccer up in Campbell River.
With what looked like a young squad for Laichwiltach, the game started off with a fast pace. Considering the technique both sides showed, it looked early that this game had the makings of an entertaining tilt.
Along with the fast pace there were a few challenges that resulted in a number of fouls that was a by-product of the chirping that was starting to enter the game. As the frustration started to mount on the Laichwiltach side it was evident that things were going to get worse before they got better.
With the referee trying to maintain some order on the field it was encouraging to see that Top Notch United wasn't going to get caught up too much in the verbal jousting. Approximately halfway through the first half a Laichwiltach player decided to foul a Comox player after the whistle which was caught by the ref and subsequently he was ejected from the game. With Laichwitach down to 10 men it was an opportunity for Top Notch to take the game over, but unfortunately 10 minutes before the half there was a hand ball in the box and Laichwiltach went up 1-0.
The second half saw Top Notch gain some momentum and confidence as 10 minutes in a high ball played forward bounced over the Laich defender right to the sure-footed Peter Croonen who calmly placed the ball into the back of the net. Moments later a free kick was awarded to Top Notch just outside the box to the right of the keeper. Andy Marinus crossed a laser to the far post where Peter Croonen was Johhny-on-the-spot to head the ball into the upper 90.
With Top Notch now leading 2-1 the confidence was oozing in their play as their possesion game started to take over. With Marinus watching his mentor Croonen for the first 15 minutes of the second half it was his turn to sub in and show what he had learned. Within minutes it took a great run for Mike Rodgers to pass a through ball to Nick who calmly struck the ball in the corner past a stunned goalkeeper.
Moments later a somewhat bouncing ball just inside the box was left for Phil Ludwig who hammered a full volley into the low corner which was witnessed by 14 of his jaw dropped teamates.
The whistle finally blew with a nice 4-1 win for Top Notch United. They look forward to the re-match as with 11 players on the pitch for Laich United for the entire game would make for a very entertaining game. The team is also proud of Tom Butcher who survived a meeting with the Boston Strangler early in the match.