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Kingston Men Draw With Vaughan Azzurri After Last Minute Strike

By League1 Ontario staff, 05/30/16, 5:15PM EDT

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Kingston Clippers showed their "bouncebackability" again in matchweek five after an extra time own goal from the men's side brought them level at 2-2 with western division powerhouse Vaughan Azzurri, just a day after the Clippers' women manufactured a similarly late resurgence. 

"So obviously the group of lads, we keep saying it, is a fantastic group," said Kingston technical director, Chris Eveleigh. "They have that resilience."

"It's starting to happen on the girls side too, throughout the club we are seeing the effects. The boys are working hard on the field, and helping mentor throughout the club, and their never say die attitude is infectious."


Mario Kovacevic (Photo: Tracey Row)


Photo: Tracey Row

The Azzurri had started the match promisingly, with Mario Kovacevic (9') outjumping his defender at back post to put his glancing header out of reach of Kingston net-minder Dustin Kemp. 

Clippers' captain Eric Koskins (44') showed the mettle of the home team just before the end of the half however, getting in front of his defender at near post for an easy tap-in to keep the score level. 

A poor Kingston clearance just after the interval led to Kovacevic (48') being found alone in on Kemp, who was well off his line, and the striker made simple work of his right-footed lob into the open net.

Despite long periods of good possessive play, Vaughan could either not create enough quality goal-scoring opportunities, or simply couldn't finish the ones they did create. 


Photo: Tracey Row

"We should have buried our chances in the first half which probably would have given us a better outcome," said Vaughan assistant coach, Wayne Mills. "[Weather] conditions were tough for everybody but at the end of the day we should have buried our chances."

Kingston, on the other hand, kept their heads about them and waited for an opportunity. In the final minutes of extra time, it presented itself. A massive throw into the box by Kristian Zanette couldn't be held by Vaughan GK Jared Brown and dropped into the net. 

"It was a long throw, and the coach just wanted me to stand up by the keeper," said striker Patrick Van Belleghem. "I jumped up with him and I think I must have screened him. I think it was an own goal to be honest."

Vaughan head home to McNaughton Turf in matchweek six, taking on Durham United FA on June 4 (3 p.m.). 

Kingston is also in action on June 4 (3 p.m.), facing Toronto Skillz FC at Queen's University Tindall Field.


Photo: Tracey Row