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Browns rally past Ogopogos

Groundhog Day is apparently in April for defending Capri Insurance 45+ Men’s Soccer League champion Brown Benefits of Kelowna.
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Dave Dawson of the Okanagan Spring Camels carries the ball towards Gerry Geelkerken of Bosman Accounting in Capri Insurance Men’s 45+ Soccer League play Monday night at MacDonald Park. The Camels won 2-0.

Morning Star Staff

Groundhog Day is apparently in April for defending Capri Insurance 45+ Men’s Soccer League champion Brown Benefits of Kelowna.

The Browns went behind early and then came back to win for the second straight week, this time defeating Turn-Key Controls Ogopogos 4-2 at Marshall Field #2.

Turn-Key jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from Duane Dennis, on a low blast, and Ruben Cervantes, with a floater over the keeper’s head.

Brown Benefits responded with goals from Larry Kinakin, Lionel Hoffman (penalty kick) and Tony Gonzales all before the recess.

In the second half, Turn-Key was reduced to 10 men when defender Mike Adams hauled down Hoffman on a breakaway and Jim Kruiper took advantage of the extra space on the field to record the insurance goal.

Turn-Key keeper Ted Lurkins made a great save on a breakaway, deflecting the ball out of play with a Kelowna player in his face.

Several shots from the Browns went wide of the net. Some shots from the Pogo’s just barely grazed the crossbar and went out of play.

The Pogos (1-1) got solid midfield play by Brad Conlin and Dennis to keep the score close.

The Okanagan Spring Brewery Camels stayed even with Browns by brushing off Bosman Accounting 2-0 at MacDonald Park.

Marty Steele scored the winner in the early minutes, sliding a shot under keeper Yogi Kongsdorf after two failed Bosman clearances. John Orton ran down the wing, beat a couple of defenders and fed the ball into the six-yard area.

Orton finished a penalty kick with panache 15 minutes later, but referee Peter Solymosi ruled the Camels encroached and ordered a goalkick. He checked the rule book at the half and apologized for his mistake.

Orton finished the game for good in the 65th minute when he fooled Kongsdorf with a 28-yard howitzer. Right defender Ron Krause picked off an errant pass and fed Orton.

Dave Dutcher hung around centre for much of the match but made a solid stop off a Mark Sladen left-footer in the 56th minute. Sladen put a header off the crossbar shortly after with Gerry Geelkerken supplying the corner.

Central fullback Ian Butler and centre midfielder Al Gee shared the Red Robin Man of the Match for the Camels, while Kongsdorf took similar honours for the 0-2 Accountants.

Brandt’s squeaked past RPM Auto 3-2 at Kelowna City Park, taking the lead on a partial breakaway converted by Brad Grainge.

RPM equalized 10 minutes later. Early in the second half, RPM went ahead on the goal of the night, a blistering top-corner volley. RPM keeper Marty Vincze stopped a PK before Vinnie Jones and Chad Wardman, with the the winner, responded for Brandt’s (1-1)

There was still time for RPM to salvage a point, however Dave Rundle in the Pubbers net saved a penalty securing all three points.

Penticton United ambushed Kelowna’s Cantinas 10-1 at Kings Park in Penticton. Penticton opened the scoring early and found themselves up 4-0 at the half.

Cantina’s Greg Wallace finally found the net after goals from Darryl Pace, Steve Grant and Mike Beliveau had Penticton up 7-0. Goals from Brian Johnston and newcomer Adrian Mcluskey as well as an own goal resulted in the 10-1 final.

Mind Smart United brushed back the Mission Cleaners 2-1 in a thriller at Mission #10 Sports Field.

The game started as expected with Mission Cleaners exerting lots of pressure and Mind Smart holding down the fort.

The pressure eventually yielded a goal for Mission on a great one-touch flick by Robert Teves into the top corner after 25 minutes. Mind Smart created a few chances on the counter attack, missing a tap-in at the far post.

The second half saw Mind Smart creating more chances on the counter attack and achieving an equalizer via a great through ball by Willie Kruiper.  Neil McNeil finished off the chance with a low strike to the corner.

Keeper David Gadd made several excellent saves to thwart the Mission attacks.  The winning goal for Mind Smart came from a sweet corner by Floyd Ryan which was headed in with power by Dean Warner at 75 minutes.  Mission pressed for the equalizer but came up short as they were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes to go and then further reduced to nine men just before the final whistle.

Soccer United and the Rented Mules battled to a 1-1 draw at Beasley Sports Fields in Lake Country.

Soccer United's team defence was not very united during the first half as the Mules capitalized on a scramble after a goal-line cross to take the lead at 20 minutes. Shortly after, Soccer United's Mike Bertoia was taken down inside the penalty area and he made no mistake on the ensuing penalty shot to tie it up.

Both teams had some chances as the game progressed, as Soccer United carried the play in the second half and was unlucky not to come away with three points.