Week 8 saw Rinos take on an improving Sarajevo side who sat just one point behind Rinos in the Div 1 table. The preparation for this must win game was far from ideal. Blue body paint, black eyeliner and silver duct tape did nothing to intimidate our opponents in fact probably led them to believe we were a cross dressing traveling circus. Things went from bad to worse when nature called for the Irish duo of Picket and Bligh who spent the warm up running around Vancouver to find a toilet.

Surprisingly the game opened with Rinos coming straight out of the traps. Moore, Pickett, English and Norton (playing in his farewell game) all had chances to open the scoring within the first 20 mins with O’Sullivan offering some tasty balls down the channels and Stoakes causing the hosts some problems down the left. The pace slowed dramatically after the initial onslaught and we went in at half time feeling frustrated at the performance. There was something missing and Rinos did not seem like a team that were pushing hard for promotion.

After some strong inspirational words from “The Haymaker” at half time the second half was to be a different story. The Rinos midfield went into second gear and quickly began dominating. The breakthrough came on the hour mark. Some good pressure by the lively debutant Abubakar allowed Pickett to break through with the ball. After gracefully skipping by 4 challenges he pulled the ball back to Moore who showed good composure to finish into the bottom corner. Picket again was the star for Rinos second goal. Obviously not being satisfied with only beating 4 players on his last run he left 5 or 6 Sarajevo players dizzy before being taken down inside the box. English stepped up to smash the ball home from the spot after some mind games with the opposing keeper to double Rinos advantage.

It wasn’t long before the game was wrapped up. John “The Beast” Bligh burst out of the defense to charge down a Sarajevo defender. He skillfully played a stunning first time ball (with his left arse cheek) into the path of Moore who beat the last defender to the ball before rounding the keeper for his second and Rinos third.

The normally rock solid Rinos defence gave away a soft goal from a free kick with 10 minutes remaining. This proved nothing more than a consolation. Sarajevo managed one other strong shot on goal in the dying minutes only to be denied by a quality save by Thom (who is looking more like Iker Casillas every week). The impressive second half performance was completed by English with almost the last kick of the game. With the keeper well off his line he executed a quality Beckham like strike to ensure a result that will undoubtedly have the top 3 looking over their shoulders in a promotion race that is far from over. Man (Men) of the Match went to O’Sullivan and Billingham for strong holding midfield performances (Billos hard man tackle I’m sure a major factor in this).

Saturday see’s table toppers Vancouver Olympics come to the fortress that is Point Grey Turf in the biggest game of the season so far for Rinos. We will be without our influential play maker Mark Norton who is heading back to the UK. All the best Mark. Hopefully see you again soon.

First Half

Second Half

Toinen osa pitaa tavallisista kivi-jalka- tuttua verkkaista tempoa hyvana asiana ja toinen osa kaipaa nopeata tempoa.

Rino’s welcomed Richmond Hibernians to Point Grey with a big Céad Míle Fáilte, as the Club Ireland team, with FAI crests proudly adorning their chests, took to the field for the pre-game handshake. As it turned out, an old fashioned Canadian ‘Howdy’ may have been more appropriate as the Irish side seemed firmly onboard with the Jack Charlton era selection policy. Even at that there were a few more Cascarinos on there than Townsends I’d say.

Another clear sign that this team was as Irish as Thierry Henry’s left hand was the highly un-Irish 100% record they brought into the match up. These Plastic Paddies meant business.

Right from the outset Richmond set their stall out as a fast paced attacking side, with a strong physical element to their play. Although not initially paying dividends it certainly held Rino’s to half chances as we struggled to match the pace of this once great club. But as time went on Rino’s settled into the game and found their feet, keeping the score 0-0 while doing so.

As the game progressed it became apparent that Jack Charlton’s selection policy wasn’t the only thing mimicked by Richmond, as

long ball after long ball came flying from their backline. Rino’s were not faring much better however, with few spells of good possession for either side. The breakthrough for Richmond came on the hour mark from a set piece, teasingly clipped between the defence and keeper, where it was met by Cascarino himself to head into the vacated net.

Rino’s tried to find an equaliser, but other than a couple half chances it was Richmond who looked more likely to score again with holes being left as we pushed on.

Final score was 1-0, with Rino’s slumping to their first defeat of the season.

Man of the Match went to actual Irishman John Bligh, the big fella at the back… because he’s pure daycent

Team: Thom, Atleo, Petersen, Bligh (Ire), O’Genski, Billingham (Twat), Greenall, Hauk, Norton, O’Sullivan (Ire), Pickett (Ire)
Subs: Duff, Carr, English, Moore (Ire), Stoakes

Week 5 pitted Rino’s, off the back of consecutive wins, against old rivals Binger’s Army, off the back of taking their first big scalp of the year, Shaheen. But Rino’s, and in particular man of the match Atleo, had Binger’s own scalp firmly in their sights.

The game started at a frenetic pace with Binger’s showing their early league results were a blip, and not to be the norm. Rino’s were somewhat disjointed, with Bligh still mending on the sideline as he rested his groin for an upcoming visitor from Ireland. Both teams traded spells of possession, Binger’s edging the encounter through sheer energy alone, but solid defending kept them at bay, with no chances of note to show for their efforts.

It was a typically physical encounter between the two sides, and as always, Rino’s knew it wouldn’t be long before either Andrew Cook or LG lost their cool. Biding their time Rino’s kept their tempo up and pushed for the lead, all the time knowing it couldn’t be long now. Right on cue the straight red was handed out. This time to LG, taking some of the work load from Cook, as he attempted to nut the smallest player on the pitch, little Ali ‘Butter Wouldn’t Melt’ Pickett.

This proved the turning point, with Rino’s taking the lead a few minutes later. Great build up, with Norton to Pickett, Pickett to Billingham, Billingham sending English into the right corner with an uncharacteristically beaut pass, English whipping it across the face of the goal, Moore can’t connect, defence can’t connect, Norton can’t connect, nobody can… bang, 1-0, who else but Greenall at the back post for his third consecutive game winning goal against Binger’s. You’d think by now they’d mark him back there.

Rino’s, who were 2-0 up last year when Binger’s took their traditional red, were well aware that the game was not over. Binger’s came back to 2-2 that time, with Greenall scoring at… well just read the last description. Binger’s showed the fighting spirit they are known for and continued to apply pressure. But having gone 3 at the back there was more space for the Rino’s attack to play into.

This freedom of movement lead to Moore being played clean through on goal twice in a short space of time. The first resulted in everyone turning away afraid to make eye contact with him, but the second lead to a penalty when he was bowled over in the top corner of the box. Moore was glad of the lie down after another huge effort up front, chasing passes and defenders all night.

Chris English stepped up to shoulder the responsibility, and dispatched the penalty into the corner, with Critter just unable to keep it out. With the 2-0 cushion Rino’s were assured the victory, but the defence continued to prove impassable as Binger’s tried to salvage some pride. Atleo, Petersen, Southern, and O’Genski all putting in solid performances against the mixed threat of freakishly tall and somewhat fast strikers of Binger’s.

Man of the Match went to Tyson Atleo, another solid performance from the star full back

Team: Thom, Atleo, Petersen, Southern, O’Genski, Billingham, English, Norton, Pickett, O’Sullivan, Moore
Subs: Duff, Bligh, Greenall, Stoakes

Week 4 saw the arrival of GN Sporting to Point Grey Fortress (technically a school). Having gotten back to winning ways against Akal, Rino’s were confident of taking the 3 points, but just like Luke’s new girlfriend, a tight affair was expected, with GN coming in to the game with 0 goals for, but only 2 against.

The fans were expecting too, with the biggest turnout of the year, Paddy, Emily, Tash and Hurley. Paddy expecting beer more than anything.

The first half, as predicted, was a close encounter, with Rino’s having the better of it, but not creating any great chances. The teams were set to go in even at the break before Moore stepped up with what is a contender for goal of the season. Norton, free on the right, wearing a yellow jersey for some reason, clipped a ball to the top of the box for the unmarked Moore. With all the time in the world, he deftly chested the ball up, caught it on the back of his neck, rolled it down his back, back heeled it over his head, controlled on his thigh, and side footed past the goalie. Horrendous defending, and GN were made to pay. Luckily Luke had his go pro on, and had his usual amount of movement around the box… Wonder Goal I

There was still time for one more chance right before the half time whistle, this time falling to GN. On a rare breakaway the striker shot low to the corner, but the shot was brilliantly stopped by returning Rino’s legend Marek ‘The Flying Slovak’ Gasperik.

After the break it would be Moore again to find the net, taking his tally for the season to 3, overtaking his nemesis O’Sullivan for top scorer. If the first goal was good, this one was, well, not as good, but still quite good. English clipped in another cross to Moore, this time actually marked, but a quick thinking, overhead kick into the top corner beat the flailing keeper. Note: Rino’s had to change kit at half time, Billingham unhappy with how small he looked in an adult male sized jersey. Rob on the camera this time, hence a bit shaky, and dodgy editing… Wonder Goal II

Rino’s settled in to the 2-0 lead and were looking comfortable until a fluke goal was conceded, only the 2nd of the season. The blustery conditions carrying a whipped in corner to the far post and going straight in. If Rino’s were a bit more edgy after this, they were outright panicking at the site of talismanic captain, mentor, and friend, John Bligh having to go off with a grade 7 hamstring tear.

Rino’s knew a 1 goal lead would not be enough now, and pushed for the 3rd. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and it was Mike Carr who delivered the death knell. Another delivery from English, and a powerful thunderbolt drive to the near post put the ball and the keeper into the back of the net, unstoppable.

Rino’s would somehow keep GN out for the remaining minutes, and made it back to back wins for the first time this season.

Man of the match went to Geoff Stoakes for his tireless efforts up and down the left wing… ah to be young again.

Team: Gasperik, Atleo, Petersen, Bligh, O’Genski, Billingham, Stoakes, Norton, Hauk, O’Sullivan, Moore
Subs: Thom, English, Carr, Duff, Pickett