“I feel like a frozen popsicle,” one young player shivered as the wind blew through him.
The beautiful game made its return to the local pitches on the weekend as players (and parents) were reintroduced to the elements.
Oceanside’s Yellowjackets showed plenty of pluck as they downed the Ladysmith Vipers 5-1 in U13 Boys action.
“It was brutal,” Oceanside coach Mike Carter confirmed after. “It was a good game — there was a bone chilling wind that went right through you (but) the boys managed to not be distracted by the cold.
“It was a good team win.”
The Yellowjackets scored early, took a 3-nil lead into the half, and held off a stubborn Ladysmith squad.
Noah Elliott led the charge for Oceanside with three goals. Andrew ‘Sparkplug’ Carter also fed the net, as did Liviano Canil.
“He had four or five chances,” chuckled coach Carter, adding, “he actually just returned from a separated shoulder injury which he got December 10 in a game on Gabriola, so that’s a remarkable comeback for him.”
Oceanside keeper Riley O’Rourke was solid. The win lifts the ‘Jackets’ to 7-2-1 for second in their league.
“They were very happy — they wanted that game,” said Carter, explaining, “we lost our last game (Dec. 10) before the break in the last minute of the game. The boys were really disheartened going into the holidays, so to come back in our first game of the new season was great ... they played as a team.
GAME ON
The Yellowjackets are back at Arrowview Elementary Jan. 14 against Nanaimo #3 at 2 p.m.