The day started out much like Ward's head on a Sunday morning, foggy and thick. But by the time the final whistle blew, the soccer genius had proved that his wily managerial powers had paid off again as his new signings figured prominently in a 2-1 win over Lynn Valley that moved CUFC to 2-0 on the season. While the mayor of North Vancouver did not see fit to honour the CUFC after taking in their gripping encounter with Caribbean All-Stars in Week 1, the boys did offer up a minute's silence before kickoff to honour the victims of last week's terrorist attack.

A good sized squad was out on the chilly fall morn, and buoyed by their shiny new uniforms the lads got off to a roaring start. Coveside showed better ball movement than Al Roberts alone in a bathroom stall with a razor and a can of shaving cream as they whipped passes around the big park like all the preseason conditioning actually meant something. Solid play from the back on up as Roberts was spraying the ball around the field in ejaculatory fashion: down the left side for Karim Ismail, down the right for Jason Fisher, and straight up the middle for Craig Larson. After several close calls early on, Karim unleashed Craig Larson in clear and he calmly, and easily, beat the keeper to leap to a 1-0 lead. Coveside came close to taking a 2-0 lead when a long Fisher cross/shot, dipped over the goalie and grazed the crossbar. But as so often is the case with this lot, when the opportunity didn't present itself, they let the opposition back in the game.

Karim added some needed needle sticking a forearm into the goalie on a long chase for a deep ball, and drew the game's first yellow card, but stirred up the intensity level a bit for both sides. We soon saw the first of many two-footed challenges from Mark Docherty, and he was carded as well, but he looked sharp in doing so and at no time left the field while play was still going, so we'll forgive him. Lynn Valley seized their lone chance to get back in the game. Ed got the uniforms mixed up, and thinking we were already paying homage to the neon yellow squad of Borussia Dortmund (those jerseys are being lined up for next year) he passed straight to a startled L.V. forward who caught the sluggish Coveside keeper flatfooted, and a sloppy rebound was palmed straight to another opposition striker, who buried the loose ball in the back of the net.

Though Cloudy Bartlett had so admirably kept a shutout the week before, he was needed in the field and so it wasn't the first clean sheet sullied by Chapman, though this time the stains did not involve nacho cheese and ketchup. Stunned, reeling and still trying to come to grips with what had happened, CUFC went into the usual post-goal funk and another couple of costly giveaways almost put them down one as they headed to the half. Some calm instilled by Bernie and a plea for patience at the half relaxed the lads and they headed out renewed for the second half. Despite some dodgy calls from referee Reg Varney (shut yer piehole Olive you stupid fat cow!),

Coveside got back to knocking the ball around to start the second half. Some fantastic effort pressuring the Lynn Valley midfield by newcomers Andy Dudley and Paul Kellor stunted any chances for the opposition and got the Coveside chances going on the counterattack. Midway through the second half Referee Reg inflamed the game screaming at Rob Paul, "I suppose you don't like that call either" after a sketchy throw in decision that went against the linesman's call. When Robbie applauded sarcastically he got the game's second yellow. He promptly put his energy into the game, springing Jason free down the left with a cheeky through pass. Fisher gathered the ball, beat two defenders, nudged it past a flailing keeper and tucked the ball into the empty net.

A brilliant run with classic finish and CUFC were safely in the lead again. Despite a few dodgy moment in the box, one of which saw a rejuvenated Harp Dhaliwal block a point-blank shot from eight yards out with one of his patented slide tackles, CUFC were home and dry and are undefeated on the season heading into Week 3.

Man of the match Jason Fisher. Great goal, endless effort and speed to burn. Could have had three, but we'll settle for his one. Honorable mention to Craig Larson for his great finish, Karim Ismail for his crisp passing, and Al, Harp and Russell Hennessey at the back who were rock solid. Also to Bernie for managing a big squad with aplomb and sensible, effective subbing.

Quote of the Day. "Where's Brad?" Cloudy: "He's having trouble with one of the hoops."