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Powell River Villa extends home unbeaten streak to four games

Soccer club holds second-place Bays United to 3-3 draw in Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1 action
Kye Taylor Powell River Villa
TAKING POSSESSION: Kye Taylor (centre, black) takes possession of the ball during Powell River Villa’s match against Bays United on Saturday, December 7, at Timberlane Park. Taylor scored one of Villa’s three goals in the 3-3 draw. Vanessa Bjerreskov photo

Powell River Villa met Bays United, currently ranked third in Division 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League, at Timberlane Park on Saturday, December 7, and achieved a 3-3 draw, extending its unbeaten streak at home to four games.

“Getting a point against a team of this caliber is positive,” said Villa coach Chris McDonough. “That said, we were up 3-0, so we are a little disappointed to not get a win.”

Villa scored first, with Jake Kenmuir putting the ball into the net 24 minutes into the first half. Kye Taylor followed up with a second goal four minutes later.

Kenmuir scored again to start the second half at 48 minutes on a play that saw the Bays United keeper receive an injury after getting tangled in the net. Play was stopped until he could receive medical treatment.

“We didn’t think a team like Bays United would roll over when they were down 3-0,” said McDonough. “They came out of the break with more energy, scoring goals at 73 and 83 minutes, then capitalizing on a penalty shot in the last minute for the tie.”

Kenmuir, who scored two of Villa’s three goals, agreed with his coach.

“Bays United is a phenomenal team, and they did what they needed to do to get a point,” said Kenmuir. “That was a good lesson for us.”

The point from the tie solidifies Villa’s eighth place ranking, increasing the point spread between the club and ninth-place Nanaimo United FC and keeping them within three points of seventh-place Juan de Fuca All Flows. Villa remains outside of the relegation zone, the club’s goal for the season.

“We are getting stronger, even if the scores haven’t indicated that,” said McDonough. “Players like Jake Kenmuir, Kye Taylor and Niko Cristante, who just joined our midfield lineup from the University of Victoria, are stepping up and playing well. We’re getting more experience in Division 1, and our players are raising the bar every week.”

“Bays United is one of the best teams in the league, and we showed we can go toe to toe with them for 75 minutes,” said Kenmuir. “We’ll come back next year with a better idea of the level of play and we won’t drop quite as many points at the beginning of the season.”

Villa is on the road for its last game of 2019, facing first-place Lakehill FC for a late afternoon game at Braefoot Park in Victoria on Saturday, December 14.

“Lakehill was our only loss at home this season, and it was a tough game,” said McDonough. “We know what they’re capable of and we’ll have to be at our best to get a result this weekend, but we’re up for the challenge.”

Villa will then be on holiday break until January 18, 2020, when they meet Mid Isle Mariners at Timberlane Park. Kickoff will be at 1:30 pm with tickets available at the gate.

Villa will also be on the field for the Steve Steele Memorial Boxing Day match on Thursday, December 26, the details of which will be announced soon.