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Sigma And Oakville Keepers' Henry And Birstingl Standout In Scoreless Draw

By Johnny Stancati, 07/29/18, 6:30PM EDT

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Sigma FC and Oakville Blue Devils battled to a 0-0 stalemate that still left both teams moving up one position each in the League1 men’s standings at the end of Saturday in Matchweek 11. 

It was Sigma FC that began on the front foot when Marcel Zajac was played through on goal in the fifth minute but saw his effort sail over the bar.

It was Zajac again in the eleventh minute, causing trouble when he found space after some nice combination build-up, forcing Oakville keeper Lucas Birnstingl in to one of his five saves on the night.

Oakville had their first real opportunity in the 24th minute, when the ball was worked well down the right and squared to the feet of captain Taylor McNamara, who quickly forced Sigma's keeper, Triston Henry, into a reflex save.

Birnstingl was again called on to intervene in the 35th minute after a scramble in the penalty area off a corner fell to Hilli Goldhar, who did well to direct his effort on goal.

The final chance before the interval fell to the away team when Anthony Novak brushed off a couple challenges and danced his way into the area, but his ensuing effort went narrowly wide of the post.

The second half began and both teams came out playing much livelier than the first half.

Mansoor Alfazy had maybe the best chance of the match just before the hour mark when he stepped up to a free-kick placed just outside the eighteen yard box, but his effort rattled the post.

On 79 minutes, Oakville forced a turnover deep within the Sigma half but it was T. McNamara that this time sent an effort over the bar.

The final chance of the match fell for the home side when David Velastegui hit a free-kick with good power and arc, doing well to keep his effort on target, but Birnstingl was again there to make the save.

It ended as it started, 0-0.

With the point, Sigma FC moves back atop the League1 men's standings (7-0-2) and will prepare for a tough trip away to TFC III on August 12 (11:00 a.m.) at BMO Training Ground, Toronto.

Oakville Blue Devils move one spot up to fifth (4-1-4) and will prepare for a match-up away to Alliance United FC on August 7 (8:30 p.m.) at Mt. Joy Community Centre, Toronto.