Buying orange socks to match their jerseys didn’t help Vernon Kal Tire this time.
The Tiremen fell flat 4-0 against the first-place Penticton Masters in the Kelowna Tree Brewing Men’s 35+ Soccer League.
In the first 15 minutes, the Masters scored on a defensive miscommunication Thursday night at Rutland Sportsfield #3 in Kelowna.
Kal Tire (8-6) picked up the pace with two posts and one six-yard shot over the net in the next 25 minutes.
In the second half, the Tiremen had chances but Penticton (11-3-1) scored as Kal Tire was trying to press play late in the game.
The Tiremen take on Executive Flooring Inc/Enco Thursday (6:30) at Rutland Sportsfield #2.
In Okanagan men’s 55+ play, the Vernon Silver Stars (7-5-2) squeezed out a 1-0 victory in a tense and ill-tempered match against Brandt’s Creek Old Boys (5-6-3) at Marshall Field #2.
Mahmoud Abdel-Kader scored a ‘golden oldie’ just before halftime, using a half-scissor kick to beat the keeper.
Al Bensmiller recorded the shutout.
The Penticton TC United shelled Vernon Kal Tire 8-0 in other men’s 55+ play Thursday night at Constable Neil Bruce Field in West Kelowna.
Tony Munoz supplied four goals for Penticton (8-4-2), while singles went to Gord McLaren, Mark Gjinni, Peter Toth, and Darryl Pace. Norm Peters recorded the clean sheet.
Penticton’s Tony Munoz earned four goals, with singles going out to Gord McLaren, Mark Gjinni, Daryl Pace, and Peter Toth.
Kal Tire, who had no subs, fell to 5-7-2 with defender Grant Badgero taking the Sleeman’s Man of the Match.
In North Okanagan Women’s Divison 2 the pink-shirted Collaberate (2-7-1) had their best match of the season with a 5-1 win against Sir Winston’s Attack (4-5-1).
The pink squad had only 11 players to man the field.
Tierney Barker and Amy Kermociev were solid up front, each earning two goals with Carli Berry scoring one.
Amanda Penner was solid as centre midfielder, creating plays and passing in all directions.
Berry, Barker and Sarah Beetschen were strong on the front line with consistent offensive plays.
Kermociev was dynamite, running the ball wide then coming in for great crosses.
Late in the second half Olivia Anderson had to leave the field due to an injury and the squad held the Winstons at bay with only 10 players.
Player of the Match was keeper Waverly Vanderveen for her courageous stops, including a direct kick just outside the 18 and keeping the back line positive.
Sir Winston’s Attack gave a valiant effort, but were outplayed in the end.
Azra Cawley played a solid half in net, followed by Tessa Derksen.
Striker Brandi Wejr managed to keep her goal-scoring momentum by earning one in the second half.
Sybil Thompson and Beckly McLennan both had multiple shots, but were thwarted by the keeper’s skills and the crossbar.
Marie Braun and Laurie Chickloski had excellent games on defence, stopping many deadly attacks on net, and turning the ball up the line for an offensive attack.
Most Sportsmanlike Player went to Sybil Thompson for her quiet, determined and gracious play.
In Division 2, Do-Itt Drywall Mud Sharks won 5-3 over the Rock Stars, at Marshall Field #5.
It was a slow first half for the Mud Sharks as they fell behind 2-0.
The team was able to rally for the second half by pressuring the opposition’s defence.
With three goals from Hailey Noakes and singles by Lenai Schmidt and Taryn Douma the Mud Sharks were able to take the victory.