The Victoria Highlanders were victorious in the Charity Shield Derby on Wednesday, edging a persistent Victoria United squad 2-0 in the annual exhibition match at Royal Athletic Park.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun when we play these games,鈥� said United player/coach Steve Scott, a former Highlander.
The Highlanders bench was crowded with substitutes, as coach Steve Simonson elected to rest the majority of his starters for at least the first half on Wednesday. The break was well-deserved as the Highlanders have suffered just a single loss on the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League season to date, and are back on the road this weekend for the final pair of six road games in 17 days.
The highlight last weekend, after the Highlanders and Vancouver Whitecaps settled for a 1-1 tie on Friday night, was a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Sunday. The win gave Victoria (8-1-2) a six-point lead over the Timbers for first place in the PDL Northwest Division, and clinched a playoff berth.
鈥淲e just had a really good tactical game [against Portland],鈥� Simonson said. 鈥淲e were defensively sound.鈥�
On Wednesday, however, points and playoffs didn鈥檛 count, as the big winner was the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria, which collected the proceeds of the game.
The United side, 4-5-3 in the Pacific Coast Soccer League Premier Division, wanted to show their mettle against their elite brethren, and several Highlanders used the opportunity to try to improve their chances of playing time.
鈥淚鈥檇 love to play more, but the starting lineup Steve puts out is the best in the league,鈥� said defender Adam Ravenhill, who has played six minutes in the regular PDL season. 鈥淐racking that is always a challenge.鈥�
The first half was scoreless, but when more Highlanders regulars took the field in the second half, things livened up. Both Highlanders goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou and United 鈥檏eeper Ryan Hulstein made some impressive stops.
The Highlanders opened the scoring in the 64th minute, on a penalty kick by midfielder Sahil Sandhu. Sandhu had been roughly dragged down, and Dom Colantonio was red-carded for his efforts. Colantonio trotted off the field, and immediately returned to play on, to laughter and a big ovation from the crowd.
鈥淚t was a friendly game played in good spirt,鈥� Simonson said.
The Highlanders sealed the win on a goal by Craig Gorman in the 90th minute.
