Woodstock Stallions battle WOSL Premier league-leading Jagiellonia tough

Woodstock Stallion Keaghan Brett (left) works against numbers Friday evening at Cowan Park. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Alex May is anything but a fan of country music.

“Not at all,” he said Friday evening at Woodstock’s Cowan Park. “Country is zero in my car. Not gonna happen at all.”

But following a 1-0 Western Ontario Soccer League (WOSL) Premier Division loss to London Jagiellonia, the Woodstock Stallions keeper did understand the reference between Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler’s assertion about every hand of cards - or arguably this game - being both a potential winner and loser.

Friday’s game against the league leaders hung in the balance well into the second half, May doing his part to keep the contest goalless, including an initial point-blank save, cleared from danger by a defensive teammate in the second half’s second half. The Stallions’ best chances to take the lead followed, a rush developing down the right wing concluded with a shot fired over the crossbar, and most notably, a cross off the same side through the 18-yard-box to the far post.

The visitors broke through shortly after, a free kick awarded almost directly in front of the Stallions’ bench leading to a lengthy breakaway pass. May came out to challenge, but Jagiellonia’s Erson Gashi had ample time to pick the bottom, left corner.

Although possibly disappointed with the outcome, the Stallions’ keeper hadn’t been with Woodstock’s level of play. Defensively, Woodstock couldn’t have done any better with the difference essentially being the one Jagiellonia chance.

“And they scored off it.”

“They’re a great team,” May added. “You know going in, they’re quality.”

Stallions midfielder Starling Sena said the game followed the pattern of a 2-1 cup loss to Jagiellonia earlier in the week.

“We create the opportunities, create the space, but the finish. It’s been hard for us to finish.”

However, Sena, like May, believed Woodstock had again put in a solid effort against a strong opponent.

“We are all on the same side, working together, working hard because we all want the same thing.”

The result upped Jagiellonia’s WOSL premier division record to 8-2-0, with 17 goals for and three against. The Stallions now sit at 2-2-3 for seven points, six goals for as opposed to 10 against.

Woodstock’s next game is on the road, Sunday, July 20th at London Croatia, before returning to Cowan Park for a Friday, July 25, 8 p.m. start against Taxandria Premier. The Stallions also play at home Friday, August 8, against London Serbs A and Friday, August 29, hosting the London Thunder.

May was not planning on playing victory music, Lincoln Park perhaps, on his way home, maybe a little introspectively mournful Coldplay instead. Not country for sure, although in a final reference to ‘The Gambler’, it was clear he was not about to ‘fold ‘em.’

“It’s a fun time,” said May of the high level of play offered through the WOSL’s top division, much-appreciated fan support the Stallions have received, and the belief that with continued strong play, results will follow. “That just comes with time,” he concluded. “Stay focused.”