The Delta Blaze fell one game short of completing a perfect season in the Richmond Adult Soccer Association’s Summer League.
The Blaze were looking to complete the First Division “double” but were surprised 6-3 by the defending champion Rino’s Tigers in the Danny Burns Challenge Cup final thanks to a memorable night for Dylan Dailly
The Tigers struck in the opening minute when when Milan Ghandesha blasted a low shot past Delta's keeper. The Blaze seemed stunned at the early goal and at the 20 minute mark Dailly had Tigers up 2-0.
The regular season champs were not playing their usual game and Tigers attack looked daunting.
Fortunately for Delta, goalkeeper Alex Kelsey was in brilliant form and made some outstanding saves to keep his team in the game. With only a few minutes to go to halftime, Matteo Serka sent a header past the Tigers’ keeper to make 2-1.
In the second half, the Tigers continued their attacking form and were soon up by two again when Dailly scored on a breakaway. Delta came back and Geoff Salt, winner of this year’s Golden Boot Award as top scorer in Division One, closed the gap to 3-2. But the Tigers kept coming and another breakaway saw Kelsey make a brilliant save only to see the rebound go to Dailly. Kelsey brought him down resulting in a penalty. Dailly completed his hat trick and the lead was 4-2. Salt would score from a penalty as well but Dailly added two more goals to give him five on the evening and seal the victory.
In Division Two play, teams that finished fourth and sixth the regular season are off to the final.
The sixth place Richmond Olympics beat league runners-up Richmond All Blacks 1-0 to carve their way to the Sportstown Soccer Cup final.
Fourth place finishers Metropolitan then shocked regular season champs United Nations 2-1.
Kia Mirzahorssein opened the scoring for Metropolitan but, 10 minutes late,r Don Ballescas tied it at 1-1.
In the 83rd minute Mirzahorssein floated a shot over Nations’ keeper to give his team the victory.
