BY DARAGH FITZGERALD
Nanaimo United got its league campaign off to a flyer.
The Div. 1 men’s Vancouver Island Soccer League team defeated Prospect Lake 4-0 on Saturday at Merle Logan Field.
Nanaimo started the game the better side and played some really good passing soccer at times which was appreciated by the big crowd in attendance. It didn’t take long for United to take the lead as a long throw from Matt Mehrassa was flicked on at the near post by Colin McDonald and found rookie Alex Escobar at the back post who swept home to put United ahead. Shortly after Scott Newlands was dragged down in the box and the referee awarded Nanaimo a penalty. The penalty was tucked away by Daragh Fitzgerald to give United a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The second half brought more of the same although at times the flowing play deserted United. However all nerves were settled as midfield general Mehrassa jinked past the Prospect Lake defence and played in Escobar to thunder home his second. With United fully in control, McDonald netted a deserved fourth for United after good build-up play from Andrew Adams.
GAME ON … United (1-0) hosts Cowichan FC (1-0) this Saturday (Sept. 14) at 7 p.m. at Merle Logan Field.