It’s been a regular season of perfection for the Delta Blaze en route to being crowned champions of the First Division in the Richmond Adult Soccer Association’s Summer League.
The Blaze clinched top honours with three weeks to spare thanks to an outstanding 9-0-0 run.
Led by coaches Marcus Brougham and Geoff Salt, commitment from all players has been a vital part of their successive wins this season. The Blaze have consistently fielded a large squad to ensure they maintain their strong attacking form. That has resulted in a league-leading 34 goals, while surrendering just 10.
Their most recent result was a 4-1 victory over 2016 league champion Rinos Tigers. Brad Caldwell scored twice, while Ryan Rogers and Bryce Connors added singles.
Meanwhile, it’s been a much-tighter race in the RASA Second Division with the United Nations (7-2-3) just two points clear of the All Blacks (6-2-4) and three ahead of Bombastic (6-3-3). Even the Strikers (5-3-4) and Metropolitan (5-5-2) have been in the title hunt.
United Nations’ results include a 4-0 win over Bombastic thanks to a pair of goals from Fraser Kirkland and singles by Matt Legge and Austin Gibbs. That was followed by a 3-0 triumph over the Richmond FC Olympics.
Other recent action saw the All Blacks hold off the Strikers 2-1 behind the terrific goalkeeping of Peter Procter.
Nan Yang and Zac Bowman gave the All Blacks a 2-0 second half lead before Bryan Archibald made things interesting with 15 minutes remaining. Only some key saves by Procter prevent the equalizer.
League play in both divisions concludes this week with the RASA Challenge Cup slated for August.
