Div 1 Match 1 2013/14 – AC Campobasso

Posted on 2013-09-11 by jobligh

The 2013/14 season kicked off in identical fashion to the previous campaign, with a 1-0 defeat of AC Campobasso.

The new pre-game handshake and photo-op added a sense of professionalism to the occasion, however Campo’s first few touches quickly dispelled any delusions of grandeur.

Campo, having lost the jewel in their crown (last years MVP Paraic Phelan) to Div 1 rivals Ajyal Tigers for an undisclosed fee, were flattered by the 1-0 scoreline. They produced no shots on target during the contest, whereas Rino’s were guilty of missing some gilt edged chances.

The Rino’s side had a familiar look to it, but as with the start of every Rino’s season opener, there were a handful of debutantes on display. David Moore, Jamie O’Sullivan, and Aussie keeper Patrick Hayward, donned the Rino’s Blue for their first competitive match, while Summer League signings Mark Norton and Ash Southern (who take our English contingent far too high) took their VMSL bow for Rino’s. All 5 are great additions to the squad, and provide us strength in every position.

The game got off to a great start, with Rino’s holding the ball for decent spells, and 10 minutes in produced what proved to be the only goal of the affair, from the unlikely source of Ali Pickett. Some possession atop the Campo box was broken up, but a poor clearance fell to Pickett who made space for a shot from 25yards. The strike squeaked through, and despite the keeper getting hands to it, crept into the corner of the net. Pickett looked as surprised as anyone that he was celebrating a goal at this level.

Rino’s looked dangerous down the wings after that, with Hauk, Duff, and later O’Sullivan and Kook getting in behind the Campo full backs, but were unable to find anyone in the middle to double the lead. To Campo’s credit they defended well in the final third and Rino’s were left with few clear-cut opportunities by half.

As the second half got underway though cracks bean to appear, and the humidity seemed to get the better of Campo, with only the post, some rusty finishing, and last ditch defending keeping the game alive. A delicate chip to the back post found Billingham alone for a free header, but the tight angle left a difficult finish, and the shot came back off the post, with Campo quickest to react and get the ball clear. A corner shortly after produced another header at goal, this time from Bligh, which flashed (slowly) just past the post.

Some strong wing play was now paying dividends, and a couple of balls found Greenall and Norton in the box, but the former was unable to keep a zippy ball down, and the latter unable to make the space for a shot before being closed down.

As chance after chance went begging Campo were buoyed by the slim margin holding firm, and indeed nearly stole a point late on when a deflected free kick wrong footed Thom in goal, but sailed just over the bar. Some late pressure from Campo resulted in consecutive corners, but nothing was to come of them, and Rino’s walked away with all 3 points.

Man of the Match went to Brent Petersen for his role in limiting the Campo attack to just a few speculative shots.

Rino’s move on to Serbia next, for their home opener, while Campobasso have another tough tie away to newly relegated Vancouver Olympics.

Team: Thom, Atleo, Petersen, Bligh, O’Genski(Southern), Billingham, Hauk(Kook), Norton, Pickett(Carr), Duff(O’Sullivan), Moore(Greenall)

Rino’s Vancouver SC Undefeated to Start the Season

Posted on 2012-09-09 by Shawn

Rino’s Vancouver SC opened the winter season in impressive style with their 5 teams winning 4 matches and tying 1, meaning the club remains undefeated after the first round of matches in the 2012/2013 VMSL season.

The Twin Arrows got things started off at noon on Saturday with a 5-1 demolition of TSA Royals “B” in CAT A division action. Stewart Prince and Stuart Macdonald set the pitch at Andy Livingstone ablaze, as both were multiple goal scorers in leading the line for the Twin Arrows. Rino’s Div 1 and U-21 teams then played simultaneously at 4pm. The Div 1’s prevailed in their home opener at Point Grey Secondary, where Cyrus Greenall scored the decisive goal in a 1-nil blanking of AC Campobasso (see highlight video after the jump). Meanwhile, the U-21’s enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 road victory over the Richmond TSS Olympics at Minoru Oval. Goals for the U-21’s were provided by Paul Kook, Kyle Reed, and Taylor Dickau.

The Bulldogs kicked their season of Sunday morning at Trillium with a 2-nil victory over GFC C-Men United. Team captain Brian Deo opened the scoring early in the first half, while Rino’s Fury gaffer Derrick Freedman sealed the game with a second half strike in his first competitive match in 10 months. Finally, the Fury dominated possession and created numerous chances in their afternoon game at Point Grey, but only Francarlos Leon could find the back of the net as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw with a hard-working West Van Royals side.

All 5 teams are back in action next weekend, starting with the U-21 home opener on Friday night.

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Div 2 Match 3 – NVFC Campobasso

Posted on 2011-09-29 by derrick

Rino’s Fury were back on the road for Match #3 of the 2011-2012 winter season, facing off against the predominantly Italian Campobasso side of the North Shore. What their opponents didn’t know however, was that the Fury had their own spicy meatball on hand as the legend himself, Rino, came to cheer on the boys! Rino’s men started strong, dominating possession in the early going and creating numerous gilt-edged chances which they unfortunately conspired to waste. Just when it was starting to look like a day when their lack

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of finish would be their nemesis, Rino’s got themselves a break when the Campobasso goalkeeper gifted Shawn Wilhelm the ball at the edge of the penalty area. Wilhelm took two touches to make him pay; the first to control the ball, and the second to calmly deposit it into the back of the net, thereby increasing both his own and the team’s goalscoring tally for the year to 2 goals.

Shortly thereafter, Tommy Nolan managed to position himself halfway to the top of the golden boot race, as he latched onto a Ben Cougny flick, held off a Campobasso defender, and deftly chipped the bouncing ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the gaping net. It was a masterclass finish that will surely hold up as one of the goal’s of the season. In the second half Tommy was unlucky not to bag his second when he drove a hard half-volley towards the net which forced Campobasso’s keeper into a spectacular diving save. The remainder of the match saw few real chances as Rino’s backline held strong, and their north shore opponents continued to get frustrated. It should be noted that Rino’s goalkeeper Will Langford registered his first clean sheet of the season, and was solid when called upon throughout the match.

Final Score: Rino’s 2 – 0 Campobasso