Sting Struggle Early In Premier League

The Wallaceburg Sting began their promotion the premier division of the Western Ontario Soccer League for the 2013 season.

The Wallaceburg Sting lost their season opener on the road Saturday May 11 vs. the London Portuguese by a score of 3-2. Goal scorers were Phil Nywening and Taylor McArthur.

The Wallaceburg Sting played their second game of the 2013 soccer season on Thursday May 11th taking on AEK of London. AEK came into the season as the WOSL’s defending Premier division and Ontario Cup Champions. The Sting took to their home pitch of Kinsmen Park for the first time this season and lost by a score of 2-0 in what was considered a good result versus such a formidable opponent. The only goals relinquished by the Sting were via a free kick in the first half and a second half penalty kick.

After taking on the league’s first place team in their home opener, the Wallaceburg Sting next took to the field versus last season’s second place team, London Benfica.

The Sting took to their home pitch of Kinsmen Park on Thursday, May 23 in what was very much a cold and blustery affair. Benfica, looking to possess the ball and control the pace, played up to their abilities from the onset of the game. Midway through the first half, Benfica connected on a crossing ball from the right wing, putting it passed the Sting keeper for a 1-0 lead. The Sting mustered only a couple quality scoring chances, but caught a break late first half.
Taylor McArthur took a hard shot from the right wing toward goal that seemed sure to miss high. The ball, however, was kicked into the strong winds travelling the opposite direction and shockingly fell just beneath the crossbar and inside the left post. The Benfica keeper, walking to go around the post and retrieve a ball he thought would be behind the net was left in disbelief when it fell within the twine of his goal. The score was knotted 1-1 at half.

The second half saw the pace of the game pick up and become a hard fought battle, with both teams working tirelessly at each loose ball opportunity. Wallaceburg played strong team defense, with a commitment from each position on the field and held on for a 1-1 draw at the game’s final whistle.

Next up, the Sting hit the road on Sunday, May 26 taking on London Croatia. The Sting in years past had not seen good results come from road games at the Croatian Club, often losing by a large margin.
This one did not start much different, and it seemed history may repeat itself when Croatia took an early 1-0 lead after converting on a penalty kick 15 minutes into the game. Wallaceburg settled their play and stood behind the strong play of their keeper Sam Youlton. The score would stay that way throughout the game’s duration until the closing minute. In the 90th minute, Brandon Watson made a nice passing, finding Mark Foster. Foster made no mistake and buried home the game-tying goal in the last minute of regulation time. Shortly thereafter, Croatia managed a breakaway chance in the games added time, but Youlton made the stop and salvaged the 1-1 score.
The Sting held on for their second-consecutive tie thanks in large part to their goalkeeper, Sam Youlton. Youlton was tremendous on this day, stopping what amassed to approximately 5 breakaway attempts, among other big stops he made look routine.

Next up the Sting play host to their local rivals, the Chatham Express, on Wednesday, June 5th at Kinsmen Park. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM.

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