They didn’t even really need to play the second half.
After building a five-goal lead by halftime, the Cochrane Cobras added two more late goals during its 7-1 victory over the Bert Church Chargers in Rocky View Sports Association soccer action at Airdrie’s Monklands Park on May 12.
Cochrane, which benefited from a sustained 40 km/h back wind during the first 45 minutes, had two goals from Stephen Shevas, as well as singles from Robbie Reid, Mark Zelter, Ben Farris, Jake Farris and Quinn Morrison.
“This has been our best game in probably three years,” said Cobras’ co-head coach Carolyn McLeod.
“We were lucky with our coin toss and got the side going with the wind. We knew that would be a bit of an advantage and we knew they didn’t have their starting keeper, so we tried to put as much on net as possible.”
The Cobras (2W-0L-1T), which move into second place in the RVSA, behind the 3W-0L George McDougall Mustangs, only scored twice in its first two games, so the coach openly welcomed the offensive outburst.
“It’s good for our boys, because one of the things we’ve struggled with is scoring,” McLeod said.
“We had a lot of control and a lot of possession, so we’re able to control the midfield and create more chances.”
Reid opened the scoring for Cochrane in the 18th minute. Morrison made it 2-0 in the 30th, Shevas marked on a penalty in the 35th, Ben Farris scored the fourth in the 36th and Zelter made it 5-0 in the 41st.
Bert Church got one back in the 78th minute, when Fraser Hunter sent a shot past Cobras’ keeper Travis Chace, before Shevas, with his second, and Jake Farris added goals six and seven for Cochrane.
Bert Church, which sits fourth in the RVSA standings, had ties in each of its first two games and head coach Barry Anderson knows his team will need a better effort.
“The wind didn’t do us any favours, but they had a lot of ball possession in the first half and capitalized on it,” he said. “Our starting keeper was injured, so he wasn’t in the lineup, and it’s not blaming the guy who was in there. It’s a young team and there is a lot of development and learning that’s taking place.”
Both Cochrane and Bert Church will play the league-leading Mustangs this week and both coaches know the challenge and importance of the games.
“In the past, they’ve been a physical team,” McLeod said. “They play tough and usually have a fair number of strong players. They’ll be a tough team. All the teams are really tight right now, as there’s been a few ties. It’s going to be crucial to get as many wins as we can, because we already have a tie.”
“George Mac is going to be a tough game for us, as they’ve got a really strong squad,” Anderson said. “It’s really even, as there are a lot of teams that are spread together with one win or one tie, and we’re right in that mix. We’re pretty challenged with the last half of our season here. If we want to make the top four, we’re going to have to play a couple of really good games.”
In other RVSA action on May 12, George McDougall beat Bow Valley 4-1 and Springbank forfeited a 1-0 decision to Chestermere. On May 17, Chestermere visits Bert Church, Springbank hosts Bow Valley and the Cobras host the Mustangs.
