Brent Poulsen supplied the hat trick as North Enderby Timber ambushed Turn-Key Controls 4-0 Wednesday night in the scorching heat at Marshall Field #2.
Scoring came early and often for NET, who tallied in the fifth minute on a give-and-go between Harminder Sandhu and Poulsen, who then shunned a defender and beat keeper Victor Gouchee short side.
The Timber improved to 10-3-1 in the North Okanagan Soccer League, eight points back of first-place Salmon Arm Courvas, 6-1 winners over the Hi-Pro Sportswear Camels. Turn-Key is fourth at 8-5.
At 15 minutes, NET forward Evan Frederick was brought down on a breakaway inside the area, leading to a Sandhu penalty kick that was powered low to the back of the net.
In the 35th minute, it was Poulsen again from Sandhu on a 30-yard cannon that sailed over Gouchee, post and in, top corner. Gouchee made several clutch saves, including on two breakaways.
NET capped the offence in the second half after a Turn-Key defender attempted to play a back pass to Gouchee and Poulsen took the gift-wrapped feed and hit the empty net. Poulsen earned the La Senza Man of the Match.
Turn-Key came out determined in the second half, carrying the play for the opening 20 minutes, but were unable to put one past an aggressive Danny Stein, who earned his fourth shutout in a row.
NET received stingy defence from Jesse Knight and Tyler Loose.
Nolan’s Pharmasave Man of the Match Carson Haywood-Farmer led the Turn-Key attack while playing the whole game on the back end with some defensive regulars missing.
The Timber face Peters Tirecraft-Concept Physio tonight (7:00) at Marshall #4, while Turn-Key entertains the Revelstoke Stallions Sunday (6 p.m.) at Marshall #5 in make-up games.
NET alumni and fellow Vernonite Mike Watson is running for Canada’s next sportcaster and the Timber urge everyone visit Drafted.ca and vote for Mike.
In Salmon Arm, the Camels started off right by maintaining possession, but after losing control in the midfield, allowed Courvas to capitalize on an exposed defence.
Austin Jones pulled one back for the Camels with some nifty moves in the box, but a repeat miscue in midfield shortly after afforded Courvas to take the lead again.
Courvas (13-1) increased their lead to three going into the break. The Humpbacks (8-5-2) enjoyed some second-half chances but the Courvas keeper thwarted any attempts.
Ryan Campbell was stellar in the Vernon net, stopping a number of breakaways. Darin’s Plumbing Man of the Match for the Camels went to Keenan Jespersen for tireless running as wing back.
The Vernon Riot FC doubled the winless Salmon Arm Outlaws 4-2 in the Shuswap.
With the exception of about 15 minutes in the second half when Outlaws scored their goals, the Riot had all the play and could have reached double digits with several near misses.
Patrick Schindler (2), Lendrit Ademi and Dom Oshanek handled the Riot attack. Matt Catton registered several good saves in the second half as the Riot went to 3-10-2.
Injury-riddled Monashee Surveying FC lost 1-0 to Revelstoke at Marshall #4.
Both teams played well with chances on both ends. Monashee thought they had broke open the scoring when Devon Marriott put a free kick on net that was saved and the rebound was cleared by what many thought was a hand ball.
With under five minutes to go, Monashee lost its two subs to injury and they watched a corner get put away on a volley to finish the game.
Okanagan Spirits Man of the Match John Duc was once again calm and composed on the back line.
Nation of Domination Eagle Homes grounded Peters Tirecraft/Concept Physio 6-1 in Salmon Arm.
Kyle Richardson of Tirecraft buried the first goal of the game from 35 yards just four minutes in off a corner from Riley Strother.
The game stayed that way until NOD got a penalty kick at the end of the first half. Riley Spraggs made a brilliant stop, but the NOD player buried the rebound.
The second half was dominated by NOD (7-3-2) as they just ran Tirecraft (2-10-2) off the field.
