Old Boys move up in standings

Salt Spring’s Alumni FC fell to ninth place in its division after losing a close 2-1 contest to visiting Gorge FC on Sunday morning.

“It was a hard-fought game,” said player Eamon Murphy. “Gorge is just a skilled team.”

Gorge FC took the lead off a penalty kick that followed a “questionable call” early in the first half.

Murphy delivered the equalizer minutes later, but a sustained attack earned Gorge FC another goal before the half.

Teams played a scoreless second half, although Alumni FC dominated possession for much of the game’s latter stages, said Murphy.

The loss is Alumni FC’s third defeat in as many games. The team is 11 points out of first place with a 2-6-0 record.

Murphy said the recent losing skid is a result of the team’s growing injury list and the Masters-A division’s highly competitive teams.

Despite the string of losses, he said, players are still confident they are playing some great soccer.

Alumni FC takes on the sixth-place Cowichan Craig St. Brew Pub (2-4-2) on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Island soccer fans will have to wait until Nov. 22 before they get the chance to watch their team play on Salt Spring.

In other Vancouver Island Soccer League action, the Salt Spring Old Boys won their second game of the season on Sunday.

“A very solid defensive performance laid the foundation for the victory,” said player Richard Steel.

Mike McCormick scored the winning goal in the team’s 1-0 victory over Juan de Fuca.

Old Boy Jim Witherspoon stood his ground in goal to earn the shutout.

The victory gives the team a 2-4-0 record and puts it in a three-way tie for third spot in the Masters-C division.

The Old Boys tied up its season series with Juan de Fuca (2-3-0) at one win apiece.

“The spirit in the camp is very positive following two good and determined performances back to back,” Steel said.

The Old Boys get a chance to climb further up their division standings on Sunday, Nov. 8 when the team travels to the Victoria area to take on Vantreights (2-3-0).

In Div.-4C action, Ganges Gremio is still undefeated after playing to a one-all tie against Juan de Fuca on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Smith scored Gremio’s one-and-only goal and the team’s defence did all the rest to lock up the draw.

Gremio has won two games and tied a division-leading five matches so far this season.

The team plays at home on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Portlock Park against Gordon Head SK (3-2-2).

The team is in a four-way tie for third spot in the VISL’s Division 4C.

Salt Spring FC returns to action this weekend when it hosts FC Sagres on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2:15 p.m. at Portlock Park.