An evening to remember for all parties as we saw loads of goals and excitement until the end
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This weekend, we got the pleasure of covering the Vaughan derby, a game that has been played hundreds of times over and a staple for football in the Vaughan community. At Vaughan Grove Stadium, home of the Woodbridge Strikers, the women would take on the Vaughan Azzurri at 3PM before the men would close out the weekend with a 7PM kick off.
The women started us off, with a match that from the early onset of action you knew was going to be a good one. In the 16th minute, a beautiful run by Jayda Thompson ended with a cut back pass to Samantha Murphy who would score to put the strikers up 1-0.
However, right before half time, Vaughan were able to equalize after Sabrina Fabiano would strike to find the back of the net and the teams would go into the half time break level at 1-1.
A few yellow cards and chances were exchanged and it wasn’t until this incredible Samantha Murphy run and long shot that we would get our third and final goal of the game, which would finish 2-1 for the Strikers.
Woodbridge Men tie 2-2 with Vaughan in a game with late drama
On the men’s side, we saw a more back and forth affair, with both sides trading chances and yellow cards early on. In the 30th minute, Reshaun Walkes got on the end of a great over the top ball and tucked the ball away to put Vaughan up 1-0.
Then, shortly before the end of the half, Joe Mac made an impressive run down the middle of the field to find Luca Pinto, who would whip in a one timed cross that found Ronaldo Marshall for the equalizer in the 45th + 1 to take the teams into the half time break level at 1-1.
A half time sub for Gregory Moulopoulos led to Ignazio Muccilli coming into the game, which was a game changer for the strikers. Ignazio added a different flair to the game and his experience showed as he got on the end of an Anthony Morano challenge on the keeper to put Woodbridge up 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Unfortunately for the Strikers though, Vaughan would get one more chance, capitalizing on a counter attack in the 88th minute, and it was Reshaun Walkes getting his second of the game and quieting the Woodbridge home crowd. The game would end 2-2 and both teams would have to settle for a point a piece.
Overall, a great day of footy, with some exciting moments, highlights and definitely quite the show for the home Woodbridge crowd. We look forward to the second matchup when the Strikers play away to Vaughan on July 3rd for the Men’s and on August 4th for the women.
