Oakville Blue Devils 3 - Sigma F.C. 2
Mon Jun 1Written By: Staff, League1
Oakville Blue Devils continued their winning ways on Sunday, edging Sigma FC for the second time in a week, this time by a 3-2 scoreline in league play.
Oakville and Sigma had a similarily close match in midweek L1 Cup play, and both teams would not have been relishing meeting up again in a competitive fixture with such a dangerous opponent.
"Overall my opinion was that our performance was good and at the moment we are missing the killer instinct in the box and a little bit of luck," said Sigma head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. "It seems the past two weeks all the luck has been going to our opponents. Oakville is a good team that is organized and works hard on the pitch."
Smyrniotis' counterpart, Oakville head coach Duncan Wilde, was equally complimentary of the opponent.
"I thought the game was very balanced with Sigma having the better first half," said Wilde. "More possession than us, but neither team really creating too many goalscoring chances in the early going. We had a serious self analysis at half time and produced a much better second half performance that brought us the the goals we needed to beat a very well organized team."
In quick succession, Oakville's Bradon Culver (52'), Felipe Vilela (54') and captain Taylor McNamara (82') knocked in a series of goals that left Sigma lurching.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH HERE
"We dominated the run of play for the first 45 minutes, yet were unable to get a clear chance on goal," said Smyriotis. "Our flanks did a good job but we were missing the final cross or cutback. In the second half everything changed very quickly with Oakville's two goals in two minutes. We immediately had to change our tactics and chase the game which led to a much more open game on both ends. Our guys did a great job on a difficult day in the heat of scoring goals and creating chances. We just needed more rhythm."
Dominic Samuel and Christian Samaniego replied for Sigma, but in the end it was too little, too late.
"I thought [Christian Samaniego] was very good for us in midfield and gave our team the tempo we needed to play, especially in the first 45 minutes when we dominated the run of play," said Smyrniotis. "He worked hard for 90 minutes and gave us an opportunity to get back into the game with his late goal."
Former Montreal Impact (MLS) draft pick, Evan James, made his debut for Sigma on this day, and also put in a solid performance for his new team.
The Oakville gaffer felt that two players in particular stood out for his side.
"Anthony Novak was a constant threat for us, and captain Taylor McNamara was outstanding in the middle of the field," added Wilde. "We gave away two very weak goals from our point of view, and both should have easily been dealt with - something to work on during the week before our next game."
Oakville Blue Devils take the pitch again at the home grounds of Sheridan College on June 7 at 4 p.m. against Kingston Clippers, while Sigma F.C. is also at home - June 6 vs. Durham United F.C., 4 p.m. at the Hershey Centre.
Tag(s): June