Round One Wrap-up
Let�s take a look at all the
clubs as they have now completed the first round of play.
Tier 1
The St. Lawrence Laurentians:
After showing early signs of
faltering, the St. Lawrence Laurentians have rebounded and are again the
2002 Challenge Cup favourites. To start with, the Laurentians have the
two best strikers in the province, Rudy Norman and Richard Kelly.
Secondly, the Laurentians boast
the top two midfielders presently playing the game-Paul Slaney and Andrew
Perrot. Combine them with the league hardest ball shooter Chris Caines
and young, versatile Paul J. Slaney and this foursome become unstoppable.
Thirdly, the Laurentians again
can brag that they now have the finest duo in the centre fullback position
in this province. That's sweeper Bob Spearns and Clinton Edwards. Veteran
wingbacks Scott Bishop and Blair Aylward also know what winning is all
about.The Laurentians possess two talented goalkeepers Pat Byrne and Shane
Etchegary. The Laurentians also carry a very strong bench.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
The sudden resignation of 15
year veteran, Laurentian all- star goalie Keith Jackman will hurt. My main
concern is that when the final whistle blows in 2002,will the Laurentians
miss Keith Jackman or will Keith Jackman miss the Laurentians?
Round two prediction - Laurentians
-1st.
Feildians:
The early season injury to Gus Richards
has hurt this team offensively. The Feildian's are still searching for
a compatible partner for the speedy Matthew Wilkins. Wally Isaacs hasn�t
looked comfortable while trying to compliment Matthew. As long as Matthew
remains the only bonfide scoring threat for the Feildians, they will suffer
offensively. The addition of newcomer Randy Turpin will help.
Midfielders Ian Osmond, Jamie
Carew, Patty Kennedy and Patrick Edwards are adequate defensively but are
powerless offensively. The defensive twosome of Tommy Dunderdale and P.J
Power has presented problems. The two youngsters from the Canada Games
team, Steven Croft and Chris Roche are developing reasonably. Goalkeeper
Matthew Prim continues to impress. Prim has all the tools that a great
goalie requires and may very well be the best goalie in the league today.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
Coach Jim Hamyln�s experiment
to play all-star sweeper Craig Edwards in the mid- field or wingback position
has proven to be a disaster. Craig is simply not comfortable there. In
order for this team to challenge, Coach Hamyln must show aggression and
leadership. It�s imperative that Craig Edwards and Tommy Dunderdale form
the nucleus of the Feildians center back line or it�s game over for the
Feildians 2002 squad.
Round two prediction - Feildians
- 3rd.
Holy Cross:
Forward Jay Babstock�s reformed
attitude, combined with a new level of fitness, has contributed to his
goal scoring ability. Striker Cormack Meagher has complimented Babstock
with a newfound scoring touch.
The return of Jerry Lacey combined
with Shane Antle leaves Holy Cross very strong in the middle. Trent McClellan
and Doug Campbell are steady. Holy Cross�s MVP Chad Parsons is on course
for all-star selection. His physical dominance compliments his defensive
teammates Sean Connolly, J.B.Delrizo, Mark Fleming and Jeremy Babstock.
However, the demise of this
team may lie with their goaltending, as goalkeeper Andrew Sears is very
unpredictable.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
This team has lived up to my
"Challenge Cup Forecast" expectations. Holy Cross are the leagues hardest
working, best conditioned and most improved team. Full credit for this
turn around must go to Coach�s Corner "Coach of the Year" Paul Reddy.
Round two prediction - Holy
Cross - 2nd
Tier 2
Mount Pearl:
Offensively, Patrick Fewer is progressing.
He is proving to be a scoring threat but Mount Pearl�s failure to find
another player with any degree of scoring ability has hurt. Actually, it�s
very easy for your opponent to nullify just the one scoring threat.
Veteran Andrew Moyst still has
a heavy shot but his failure to demonstrate any degree of emotion and show
leadership continues to hurt this squad.
Rob Carter, Victor Dray and
Carl Reddy are very inspiring. The early season injury to John Acreman
has caused Coach Walt Mavin to reorganize some of his key players to perform
other duties. Former Canada Games goalkeepers, John Douglas and Gerald
Connolly have looked very ordinary.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
More often than not, Mount Pearl
plays like a good team but they continue to struggle where it counts the
most - scoring goals. The addition of three veteran players would do this
team a world of good as well as change their youth-full image. This club
appears that they may have been cloned. The genetic features of their players
demonstrate that a number of the players appear to have the same physical
features. Another peculiar thing I noticed about Mount Pearl is that while
all of Mount Pearl players are good, none of them are great.
Round two predictions - Mount
Pearl - 1st
Marystown United:
Offensively, Jeremy Taylor keeps
proving he is a goal scorer but it is his lack of discipline that somewhat
keeps over shadowing his great soccer talents. Young Justin Mayo may be
very well be the top under -17 soccer player in the province.
In the midfield position, Marystown
are struggling, particularly in the centre - mid position. The experiment
by Coach Pickett to continue and try to make a midfielder out of striker
Shannon Brushett has proven to be ridiculous. United�s other midfielder
David Pickett may have the skills but he lacks the heart and soul of a
winner. Dion Durdle, Graham Moulton, and Darrell Steward support a strong
work ethic.
Defensively, Vince�s move to
shift Jeff Warren to the centre back position has brought ability and maturity
to this spot. Jeff�s tutoring of Trevor Appleby and Jason Brushett has
helped them immensely while the injury to David Steward may have lasting
effects. The Challenge Cup 2002 "Comeback Player of the Year" is Marystown�s
goalkeeper Scott Edwards. His dedication to strive for excellence and his
performance in goal has been a bright spot for Marystown. Back-up net minder
N.J. Edwards is progressing satisfactorily.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
Too much controversy continues
to surround this club for them to reach their full potential. Although,
as a coach Vince Pickett is technically sound, far too often he seems to
be surrounded by one hullabaloo or another.The lost to Corner Brook is
another chapter added to their history of soccer.
Round two prediction - Marystown
- 2nd
Corner Brook:
Offensively, defensively and goaltending,
this group of players are an intermediate team at best. Corner Brook�s
record shouldn�t even qualify them for a position in Tier 2.
Coach�s Corner Comments:
The first female coach in Newfoundland
soccer Shelly-Drover Warren had a dream. Sadly for her, the dream has failed.
But the unfortunate part is that her dream has turned out to be a nightmare
for soccer fans and NLSA officials.
Round two prediction - Corner
Brook - 3rd