skip navigation

Crucial Late-Season Wins For Darby, FC London Men, Alliance Women

By League1 Ontario staff, 07/15/19, 11:45AM EDT

Share


(Photo: F10 Sports)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

Darby FC and FC London men's sides took crucial points home, and left opponents Aurora FC and Woodbridge SC with jobs to do in terms of playoff qualification heading into the final weeks of league play.

On the women's side, Alliance United showed their form is in no danger of dropping after getting an important 1-0 win over 2018 League1 champs, Durham United FA. The victory keeps Alliance in fourth position, a hairs-breadth above five other teams clamouring to get into the eight playoff spots, including the eighth-place side, Durham. 

Find match briefs, full match video and a selection of high-res photography from match action below!  


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

Darby FC men’s side put in a strong home performance ahead of the post-season period, keeping all three points after a 3-0 result over Aurora FC on Friday evening at the Whitby Soccer Centre.

It took until just before the interval for the first goal of the game, scored by LeRohne Young (40') for his sixth goal of the season. Kashiff De Young put in a great cross and, with a slight redirection from Young's head, the ball ended up in the top right corner.

Early in the second half Darby got another goal, giving them a commanding 2-0 lead over Aurora. Matthew Morris (48') got the rebound off the Aurora goalie first and tapped it into the back of the net.

Darby player Young (78') scored his second goal of the game - the insurance third goal - with another great header, creating a tense final ten minutes of the game as Aurora pushed hard to get back into the contest, and quite a few cards were shown.

In the 88th minute, Darby player, Sasso received his second caution of the game and was dismissed from the match, but Darby - playing one man short - was still able to keep it a clean sheet and finish at the right end of a 3-0 scoreline.

The result left Aurora in sixth and Darby just behind them in seventh position in the table - just above the playoff cut-line of eight teams - heading into the final four matches of the season before playoffs begin. 

Darby FC will next play Unionville Milliken SC on July 20 (7 p.m.) at Mt. Joy Field, Markham.

Aurora FC will next play Toronto Skillz on July 21 (6 p.m.) at Stewart Burnett Park, Aurora.

(Laura Walker)


(Photo: F10 Sports)


(Photo: F10 Sports)

Visitors' Alliance United FC defeated Durham United FA 1-0 after a stellar defensive performance on Friday evening, moving into fourth position in the women's table and dropping Durham - the 2018 League1 champs - into the eighth and final playoff spot. 

The game began with Durham on the front foot. They had great possession of the ball for majority of the first half, but couldn't quite get a clean look at goal.

At the other end, in the 20th minute DUFA keeper Indacohea made a spectacular save to keep the game at 0-0 on a shot from an Alliance cut-back.

The chances would eventually come for Durham but none made it to the back of the net and the teams went into the half-time break scoreless. In the second half, Alliance came out with a lot more urgency and were rewarded with a few chances at goal.

They would break the deadlock after Alliance midfielder Andrus (52') went through on goal via a series of deflections and tucked it into an empty net. After taking the lead, Alliance seemed content with sitting back and defending in their defensive third.

Still, DUFA had numerous chances in the final minutes including a shot off the crossbar in the 71st minute by Torchia. Alliance would hold on for the rest of the game and would be more than delighted to go home with three points.

Durham United FA will next play Hamilton United Elite on July 19 (8 p.m.) at Ron Joyce Stadium, Hamilton.

Alliance United FC will next play Vaughan SC on July 21 (2 p.m.) at Mount Joy Turf, Markham.

(Robin Chawla)


(Photo: Martin Bazyl Photography)

FC London secured their first back-to-back home wins of the season after beating Woodbridge 1-0, and moved into eighth position - the final playoff spot -  thanks to Connor Wilson's (62') sixth goal of the season.

For successive games, the home team were involved in a first half stalemate. Neither side found their way onto the score-sheet in the opening exchanges, however there were chances at both ends.

Strikers provided most of the goalmouth entertainment in the opening 45 minutes, including an acrobatic effort on eight minutes; Marshall set himself up for a bicycle kick as London defenders allowed him too much time on the ball after failing to deal with an incoming cross.

Woodbridge's best chance of the game also fell to Marshall, who, in the first half, thundered a shot at the bottom left of goal, but it was saved superbly by London keeper, Sokalski, who had a fine night between the sticks. In the end, London would claim their third clean sheet of the campaign.

At the other end, the Gopaul brothers were creating chances down the wings for the Forest City boys all night. On 42 minutes, Chad Gopaul went flying down the left channel and rounded the Woodbridge keeper, Strangis, putting him on the floor to the crowd's amusement. His cross into the box found Szyszka in a yard of space but the resulting effort was wide of the mark.

Soon after the half time whistle, tempers began to flare and a small altercation broke out, seeing Woodbridge captain Parades-Proctor's name go into the book. In the second half, the home side became the most likely to take the lead, and did, through Connor Wilson’s effort just after the hour. 

The move was started by Wilson's teammate, Halbouni, who carried the ball into the box after a massive run all the way from a defensive position, and then managed to connect with Wilson, whose effort slotted beyond Friseiro and nestled in the bottom right corner of the net.

Whilst London continued to dominate the rest of the encounter, Woodbridge had some late chances that forced game management tactics from London.

Head Coach Michael Marcoccia used some well timed substitutions to break up play and encouraged his team to put the ball into the corner with each possession, managing the game in the dying moments.

The home win sees London leapfrog Woodbridge Strikers to sneak into a playoff spot - keeping their end of season intentions as a strong possibility.

FC London will next play Oakville Blue Devils on July 21 (5 p.m.) at Sheridan College, Oakville.  

Woodbridge SC will next play North Mississauga on July 19 (7:45 p.m.) at Paramount Fine Foods, Mississauga. 

(Andy Goddard)