​Huron United Football Club drops regular season finale against Stratford CT FC

The Huron United Football Club welcomed Stratford CT FC to Spinrite Field in Listowel for the Tri-City Men's Soccer League regular season finale on a chilly evening, Aug. 26. A disappointing performance saw the hosts fall by a score of 5-2.

Huron United keeper Josh Coleman was tested early, stepping up with a big double save after Stratford caught Huron United flat-footed in the opening minute. The home team responded well to Coleman's acrobatics, generating multiple dangerous strikes for striker Andrew Wiegersma in the ensuing minutes.

Huron United struck first off a corner kick from holding midfielder Flynn Colwell-Castles in the 15th minute. Colwell-Castles’ low skimming ball found James Jeffreys in the six-yard box, and Jeffreys pounded home his own rebound after the Stratford keeper rebuffed his initial attempt.

Minutes later, centre-back Shadi Dahrouj leapt on an under-cooked Stratford pass and immediately launched the counterattack with a bombed through-ball to Adam Carty. Carty held off the encroaching defenders but pulled his strike just wide of the right post.

Stratford pulled level off a nice crossing play in the 20th that left Coleman with no chance on the point blank shot. Winger Drew Cobean nearly returned the favour on the subsequent Huron United attack, but his knuckled strike from distance narrowly cleared the net.

Stratford's left winger gave his team the lead in the 25th minute on a brilliant individual effort, but earned a yellow for his excessive celebration. That display seemed to energize Huron United, which responded with a flurry of chances to close out the half.

Huron United had a promising start to the second half, with early chances for attackers Cobean and Wiegersma. However, Stratford stepped into another gear, slotting home two well-taken chances before a converted penalty kick pushed the score to 5-1.

New father Jason Leiskau pulled one back in the 85th minute with a goal off a Ryan Shriek corner that was flicked on by Cobean. The club congratulates Jason and his wife, Alanna, on the birth of their son (and future Huron United striker), Liam. Huron United created a few more late chances, but the match finished at 5-2.

Man of the Match in the losing effort went to Cobean for the constant attacking threat he brought. Honourable mentions went to Colwell-Castles and Jeffreys for their goal contributions.

Down a few men for the match, manager Anirudha Panditrao called in the alumni cavalry, including stalwart centre-back Dave McNeish and captain emeritus Matt Brown. Both performed like the 25-year-olds they are at heart.

Huron United FC, based out of the Saugeen Shores United Football Club, will now face Suspects SFC in the opening playoff game in Listowel, tonight (Sept. 2). The squad features players from Kincardine, Port Elgin, and surrounding areas. For team updates, visit kdslsoccer.com.