Controversy reigned during week five of the Howe Sound Men's Soccer League as Galileo and Khalsa locked horns in a battle of the two top teams in the league.
Disputed goals, aggressive tackles and a black eye all played a factor in the game, which saw very little solved at its conclusion end in a 1-1 draw.
Cristian Oreamuno, who scored Galileo's goal, said it was a memorable game but not for the right reasons.
"It was an intense game but there was definitely some questionable reffing," he said. "We may whine quite a bit but I think we had good reason to."
Jag Sangha of Khalsa opened the scoring on a goal that Oreamuno and other members of Galileo said was "clearly offside."
Galileo turned on the pressure in response but Khalsa goalkeeper Jag Tatla came up huge, denying them during a flurry of action that saw Galileo hit two crossbars in succession.
The game turned ugly just before the end of the first half when Adrian Oreamuno violently collided with Khalsa's Baljeet Binning.
Oreamuno was sporting a puffy eye following the collision and heated words were exchanged between the two teams during half time.
Cristian scored on a penalty kick in the second half to tie the game and the teams remained deadlocked for the remainder of the game.
"They're a tough team and their keeper played awesome," said Oreamuno. "We were missing a few key players as well but we just didn't play our best today."
Khalsa head coach "Uncle" Jack Bir also wasn't pleased with the game's officiating.
"It was an intense game out there but the refs need to get a hold of it out there," he said.
"It could have gotten a lot worse, there could have been a fight. He needs to give out yellow cards early to control the game better. He just wasn't calling faults, I think both teams were disappointed."
Bir also praised the play of his keeper who helped keep the game tied at one.
"He kept us in the game," Bir said of Tatla. "They had quite a few good chances and it could have been anyone's game. The keeper for Galileo also played a strong game."
After a slow start to the year, Bir said that he's pleased with the way his team is progressing.
"It was a better game and better effort for us today," he said of Khalsa, who lost 5-2 to Galileo earlier in the year. "We're slowly coming together as a team but the guys need to still work on their fitness."
Galileo remains the only undefeated team in the HSMSL after the draw with four wins and one draw to their name. Khalsa is right behind them with three wins, one loss and one draw.
In other HSMSL action, the defending champion Ellis Moving Eagles picked up their first win of the season, defeating Lilwat7uhl 5-2. James Bellinger scored a pair of goals for the Eagles with Alec Macrae, Glenn Mittendorfer and Nathan Ward adding singles. Mark Gabriel and Kyle Smith scored for Lilwat7uhl.
The day's other game saw Dyer Straits defeat Zephyr 5-1. With the win, Dyer Straits moves into a tie for second place with Khalsa. Scoring for the Dyer Straits were Istvan Richter, Jason Patchell, Ben Brearley, Austin Sweeney and Charles Carter. Ryan Quigley tallied the lone goal for Zephyr.
For more information and the full standings of the league, visit the scoreboard section of The Chief.
