Portage Daily Graphic July 06/04 Draw heats up race for position

BY NEATE SAGER


United defender Dana Way, left, is challenged by Kildonan’s John Landgraff during the first half.

Staff photo by Neate Sager
WINNIPEG -- Southport United settled for a tie after losing their cool against Kildonan Fusion last night.
At Braeside Park, Kildonan, winners in only one of their previous eight starts in the fourth division of the Manitoba Major Soccer League, converted a late penalty kick to earn a 1-1 draw against United.
In a rough match which had more heated arguments than an entire season of Trailer Park Boys, United took three yellow cards in the second half. Dana Way received one of the cards for a hard tackle, while the other two were called against Bill and Jimmy Meadows after they voiced objections with Ray Rosolowich’s refereeing.
“Guys were holding their tongues at first, but it (rough play) kept on happening and getting worse as the game went on,” United co-coach Karl Seidlitz said. “These things happen, it’s unfortunate. The referee should have had some assistance in this game but they (the soccer league) just don’t have the help. An assistant referee would have helped a lot. There were quite a few things going on behind the play .... Both teams were guilty of a lot.”
If nothing else, Seidlitz said United (3-5-2) learned at least one valuable lesson last night.
“That kind of game is a very difficult one to play in,” he said. “I’ve played in those before, but you can overcome it. It takes mental toughness. That’s one thing to take from this game .... I noticed towards the end, one of their players said something to Billy (Meadows) and he just started laughing.”
Kildonan (1-6-2), who stayed in the hunt largely thanks to goalkeeper Darren Achorn, received their chance to score the tying goal due to a call which led to a lot of perplexed stares on the United sideline.
In the 75th minute, United goalkeeper John Penner ranged off his line to cover a loose ball. Kildonan’s Blair Kissel, also running full tilt, crashed into the keeper and was flipped head over heels.
Rosolowich awarded a penalty kick, which John Littler converted for the first goal against United in close to 350 minutes of play.
The referee’s apparent ruling was Penner deliberately spiked Kissel with his cleats. When such a call is made, the goalkeeper is supposed to receive a red card in addition to the penalty. However, Penner -- who said the call was the first against him in his soccer career -- stayed in the match.
“I went down to cover the ball and I brought my legs up to protect my face,” he said. “That’s what you’re taught to do.”
Defender Glen McCulloch added, “He (Kissel) was showing the ref the stud marks on his leg. There were none.”
José Poblano supplied United’s goal, beating Achorn in the 37th minute after receiving a cross from Jimmy Meadows.
All teams in the fourth division play a home-and-home series. Kildonan visits United on Sept. 2, the next-to-last match of the season.
“On a larger field at Southport, it will be a different story because they will just be chasing us,” Seidlitz said. “This is a very small field and there’s no room to move. Plus guys are learning now you can’t change the (referee’s) decision.”
Both United and Southport Aeros resume action on Friday. United is on the road, facing Rangers at Sturgeon Creek.
The Aeros (3-4-0) will play for the first time in two weeks when they host second division-leading Kildonan Cavaliers. Play gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at Southport Recreation Centre.
CORNER KICKS -- Portage Blaze play the first of two back-to-back road contests tonight, travelling to John Blumberg Park for a regular-season match against Canadians. The Blaze (8-4-2 overall) face St. James Storm in a MSA Cup qualifier tomorrow.

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