Storm advancing to Premier - Winkler Times

It’s a scramble for the ball between the Winkler Storm and Spitfire F.C. August 16. They battled to a 3-3 draw. The tie ensures the Storm a place in the Premier division next year.

Times photo by Zach Samborski


By Zach Samborski
Friday August 25, 2006

Winkler Times — The Winkler Storm had to settle for a 3-3 tie in their last home game of the season Aug. 16 but the result brought with it a big bonus.
The game result not only nailed down first place in the First Division, it was enough to ensure the Storm’s promotion to the Premier Division for the next Manitoba Major Soccer League season.
Winkler took an early lead against Spitfire F.C. last Wednesday as Rineildo Oliveria scored twice to give the home side a 2-1 advantage at the end of the first half.
The Storm made it 3-1 early in the second, thanks to a penalty kick by Nico Nickel. The Spitfire would immediately respond by scoring off another penalty kick and got the equalizer with two minutes left in the game.
“We played very strong, but definitely let down on defence,” said Storm coach Henry Enns. “Spitfire played very well, and we need to do better on our scoring chances.”
The Storm are currently sitting with a record of 9-4-2, followed by the NKMB Saints, who were defeated by Scotia United 3-2 on August 16. They are sitting with 7-4-4. Polonia S.C. tied it up with Britannia on August 16 to bring their record to 6-4-5 as they remained in third place, followed by the Spitfire in fourth with 6-5-4 and Britannia in fifth with 6-5-4. Scotia United brings up the rear with 2-9-4.
The Storm will play their last game of the season on the road against NKMB on August 30. After a two week hiatus, they will kick off the playoffs on September 12 at home against the fourth place finisher in the Gold Division.