Storm FC, Ponoka’s representative in the Battle River Men’s Soccer League, sit at the top of the standings with six wins against only one loss and an advantage of 26-goal difference in favor, the best possible spot to be eyeing a second championship in as many years.
Storm played two back-to-back road games, on July 5 in Camrose and on July 12 in Millet, winning both in comfortable fashion and building even more confidence as the title race approaches its climax.
In Camrose, the score was a comfortable 9-0 for the visiting Ponoka side. Their hosts were suffering from a severe shortage of players who could dress for the game and in the end they could field a team with only nine players, which by the rules of the league is enough to go ahead for a game. The result did not come as surprise given the imbalance of the competing forces.
“In a game like that some teams or players can get a little selfish, but Ponoka avoided that and demonstrated a true team effort,” said Storm coach Lonny Behm.
“The linking play from the back to the midfield up to the strikers was very impressive.”
Scorers were Eric Ehscheid (2) Carmen Lyon (2) , Josh Simons, Todd Alexander, Christoph Dittmar, Jason Duddy and Jorden Vogel.
Then in Millet, Storm opened scoring early in the game with two goals within the first 10 minutes and the hosts struggled to respond but could come up with one goal only before halftime break.
With both teams short on the bench, just three substitutes each, the summer heat began to take its toll on the players as the second half went on, but Ponoka guys made better use of their potential and dominated the field until the end, scoring three more before the final whistle. Eric Ehscheid undersigned two as did Josh Simons with Christoph Dittmar icing the cake with one.
Storm play their last home game of the league on Sunday as they host FC United at high school field at 2:30 p.m.