United Rises to the Challenge

Despite an undefeated season, United have been somewhat less than spectacular in their BCSPL season displaying an ability to dominate games but lacking the pace and style expected of the talented squad. This contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency squad was going to be a real test of what the Surrey United group is capable of. The Whitecaps are loaded with British Columbia's top talent and this would be their first contest against a same-age BCSPL team.

The game had a fantastic pace right from the openening whistle and Surrey United settled into the game immediately and were able to press the Whitecaps back into their own end for much of the first ten minutes. Scoring chances were hard to come by but United were able play their possession game at a much higher pace than they had shown in previous matches and were very sound defensively. Near the 20 minute mark the Whitecaps cut in off the left flank near the top of the box and let fly a good shot that deflected off a centreback's leg enough to elude the keeper and put them up 1-0.

The Surrey boys showed resilience and pushed back but had trouble finding a way through to create better scoring opportunities. United's defending from the front caused the Whitecaps trouble all game long and it was one of these occasions that United picked off a poor pass and put the scoring chance off the crossbar keeping the score 1-0 at half. Going into the break United were confident from not only competing with the Whitecaps squad but at times looking like the more dominant side.

The second half saw the Whitecaps continue their high quality play and they began to interchange some quick passes that was causing confusion amongst the Surrey United defenders. United were able to hold them off for some time but eventually the Whitecaps stretched their lead on a good shot in the aftermath of a corner kick to go up 2-0. Before full time United gave up a couple more to go down 4-0. In a hole, the Surrey boys showed some pride and some fight and battled to final whistle. Their effort resulted in several scoring chances in the final ten minutes but they were left with nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.

Even in the loss, Surrey United proved themselves to be very competitive and the game, purely as a spectacle, was entertaining, high paced and overall a pleasure to watch for fans and coaches.