PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club debuted in the Evergreen Premier League of Washington (EPLWA) on Sunday May 10 with a 3-3 tie against Bellingham United. The Mothers Day crowd of 216 enjoyed sun, free flowers from Bremerton City Nursery, and a back and forth battle on the pitch.
Photos: Game Misconduct Media / Devin Kennedy
“Bellingham gave us a great contest,” POFC Head Coach Max Sampson says, “and the speed of play from both teams provided the fans entertainment with lead changes and six total goals. I know both sides felt they did enough to win, with Bellingham missing two direct chances from crosses, and us having our penalty saved.”
Zack Robertson gave the visiting Hammers a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. It was a lead they would hold going into the halftime break. Michael Divano earned a penalty kick call just before the half, but his attempt was saved by the Bellingham keeper Allan Tanguy.
Fourth year returner Adian Harvey drew POFC level in the 52nd minute when he sharply headed a cross home from Jonathan Mendoza. Bellingham went back ahead 2-1 in the 64th when they converted a penalty kick call into a goal by Christian Caro.
POFC kept battling and it paid off with their own penalty kick call in the 75th minute. It was 2-2 after Joschi Schelb converted for Port Orchard.
The place went crazy about ten minutes later when Schelb collected a ball in front of the halfway stripe and worked his way down the Hammers’ sideline. He moved towards the middle and fired a shot that put POFC up 3-2 in the 84th.
“In the attacking phases the individual quality was obvious: Joschi Schelb was MOTM for good reason, constantly winning his duels and scoring two goals,” Coach Max says. “Michael Divano beat his defender and advanced into the attacking third at will, and newcomer Tinashe Mambira flashed moments of creativity.”
Bellingham spent much of the match providing through ball after through ball that PO goalkeeper Austin Valdez either saved or watched whiz by. The Port Orchard defense had bended but not broken. In the 89th minute on a corner kick and in a scramble in front of the goal, Zack Roberton got his second of the day to even the score at 3-3. The clock ran out with neither side finding a winner.
“Going into the game I felt we knew what we wanted to accomplish defensively, and except for a few lapses of marking I am encouraged, and our defensive prowess will continue to rise with the additions of Caleb Gilbert, Pedro Munoz, and others,” notes Sampson.
“Aidan Harvey and Connor Louden did a lot of work for us to control the middle and flank. Both will be instrumental for us this season in adding physicality and strong competitive spirit.”
Style Is A Work In Progress
“Our style of play is still developing. I will need to keep learning the tendencies of our core players and balance the directness versus a slower and safer possession style,” Coach says. “A clear framework for how to play together, and enhancing players strengths will be important for us to be successful. I view my job as a facilitator for both to happen.”
Sampson pointed quickly to an area of interest. “Conceding three goals the way we did means we have work to do. I felt the first and third goals are avoided if we are closer to our mark and avoid looking for the ball too soon, and the penalty we conceded was from taking a bad defensive angle and allowing the attacker to fall. We will work on those things this week to prepare for our return trip to Bellingham.”
“Overall, I am excited by the first week of league play and the boys are hungry to push themselves and gain points on the table. We will look to tune up and go up to Bellingham to earn a result.”
POFC travels to Bellingham on Saturday May 16 for a 7 PM kickoff at Whatcom Community College field.
Watch a match replay below.