Whether it be at Euro 2012 or in action within the Greater Sudbury Soccer Club (GSSC), effective ball control provides a formidable opponent. Les Voyageurs proved exactly that on Monday evening at the Delki Dozzi Sports Complex, bouncing Bristol Machine 9-1 in U10 competitive soccer play.
Displaying a keen knack for finding the open man, the Voyageurs passed frequently, often moving the ball to their back line and attacking from the opposite side of the pitch. The tactic allowed the young crew to build up a sizable lead at the half, with play in the final 30 minutes far more balanced.
It took the Voyageurs less than two minutes to break the ice as Philippe de la Riva sprung free, making no mistake in giving his team the lead. Jaden Martin replied in the 10th minute for Bristol, but the remainder of the half was all Voyageurs.
Alexandre Léger, Marco Vigna, Eric Frappier, Léger again and Justin Dauphinais scored in a span of 18 minutes, providing a comfortable advantage for the francophone crew coached by Charles de la Riva.
Bristol started the second half more strongly, with Giordano Biondi getting a pair of chances, blasting one wide and denied, on a second opportunity, by the Voyageurs' keeper. Meanwhile, Léger rounded out his hat trick, sending a ball high from just inside the half that sailed up and over the Bristol netminder.
Filling in between the pipes briefly, Léger also came up with one of the better saves of the night, reacting quickly with his leg to foil a glorious chance off the foot of A.J. Favot.
More great passing, this time from de la Riva to Dauphinais, increased the lead to 8-1 before Samuel Branconnier closed things off, directing a shot towards the open net that may have glanced off de la Riva before crossing the line.
While the Voyageurs attack was impressive, so too was the work at the back end of co-captain Avery Chisholm, a stalwart on the final line of defence, clearing the ball up constantly for his attackers.
The Voyageurs have enjoyed a fair bit of success already this summer, having captured the De la Riva Cup (in honour of long-time councillor and soccer enthusiast Ricardo de la Riva) in town, with teams from North Bay and New Liskeard on hand.
Posted by Laurel Myers
