Kicking up a storm

And even though two of the 30 teams suiting up for the Provincial Under-12 Boys’ Soccer Championships were from Gander, home field advantage didn’t favour the local squads, as both failed to make it their respective championship contests.

Taking the field in the qualification round of divisions A, B and C, Gander A opened with a heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Conception Bay South A — on what coach Tim Hazlett referred to as “a beautiful header” by a CBS player as regulation time ran out.

The goal was not without some controversy, as Hazlett said the goal was actually scored in what he considered “extra time.”

“This goal was actually scored about five minutes into extra time, which was a mistake made by the referee due to the fact his (timing) apparatus’ battery ran out and he lost track of time,” said the veteran coach, noting the game should have ended in a draw and have been decided by penalty kicks as per the tournament rules.

Despite the close loss, in which the Gander crew had its best scoring opportunities hit the cross bar as well as a post, Hazlett said his team wasn’t that disappointed.

“I joked with the players afterward that its Team Canada 1 and Team France 0.” - — Tim Hazlett

“Given the fact, we now know we can compete with the strongest competition in the province,” he said. CBS A went on to win the Division A crown, while the host side was relegated to Division B.

In its first game in Division B, Gander and ASIA from St-Pierre battled back-and-forth until Matthew Jones had the Midas touch on a cross from Jordan Maher late in the contest. Jones’ tally would hold up for the remainder of the game, giving Gander A a narrow 1-0 victory.

“I joked with the players afterward that its Team Canada 1 and Team France 0,” said Hazlett.

As disheartening as its first loss may have been, Gander A’s second defeat was just as, or maybe even more, disappointing — a 1-0 loss to Mount Pearl B on an own goal.

The team wrapped up its tournament play by coming out strong against Corner Brook B, opening the scoring when Maher drilled home a ball to the back of the net. However, this would be all the offence Gander A would muster in the 3-1 loss.