A huge step towards a second consecutive league title was taken by the Surrey United Firefighters Saturday afternoon in Coquitlam.
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League team extended its lead to four points over the second place Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves, defeating their rivals 1-0 at Town Centre Park. Both teams have three games to play, Surrey’s trio of contests against opposition occupying the bottom five positions in the 14-team league.
Mason Webb scored the game’s lone goal, sending a cross into the penalty area that curled into the top corner of the net in the 74th minute. Both sides had several chances to add to the goal total, but the game’s two netminders – including Paul Sheppard of Surrey – took turns making outstanding saves.
United improved to 17-3-3 (won-tied-lost), while Coquitlam dropped to 15-5-3. Surrey is at home to the Punjab Hurricanes Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Cloverdale Athletic Park, looking for the first of the two wins that could clinch the Premier Division title.
The Hurricanes pulled five points clear of a relegation position by rallying from a two-goal deficit to tie West Vancouver 3-3 Saturday evening at Newton Athletic Park. Trailing 2-0, the Hurricanes got one goal back on a tally by Amar Bains, but early in the second half, West Vancouver restored the two-goal lead.
Bains scored his second of the game with three minutes to go, then the Hurricanes tied the contest in injury time on a goal from Pami Birring.
At 7-5-11, the Hurricanes are all but assured staying in the Premier Division next season.
Akal FC lost a huge opportunity to make up some ground in their bid to avoid relegation, getting blanked 4-0 by the last-place Serbian White Eagles Sunday evening at Newton Athletic Park. At 4-6-12, Akal FC is in 13th place.
ICST Pegasus won their 10th game of the season Sunday afternoon at John Oliver Park in Delta, downing Delta United 3-0. Ryan Powell, Azad Palani and Meysam Soltani were credited with the goals, while Andy Singh earned his shutout with several outstanding saves, including one on a penalty.
Pegasus is in seventh place at 10-4-9.