Thursday, September 20, 2001

Bit of brilliance goes for nought

By STEVE COAD, Free Press Sports Reporter Sep 20

Tyler Hemming was charging hard and running out of real estate when he did something most mere mortals would consider impossible.
The 16-year-old Londoner stopped suddenly and hurled his body toward the York Region Shooters goal, heading a perfectly struck pass from teammate Gentjan Dervishi behind a startled Jack Brunino in the 54th minute for what appeared to be London City's 3-2 go-ahead goal in yesterday's Canadian Professional Soccer League curtain-closer for both teams at Cove Road field.
It was an unparalleled bit of athleticism, a truly pretty play by Hemming, who is just back from England where he made a splash during a two-week tryout with Grimbsy Town of the English First Division.
It was everything you could ask for in terms of excitement.
But it wasn't a goal, not one that counted. Linesman Andre Jasinski of London signalled offside, negating Hemming's bit of brilliance.
City never recovered, surrendering a goal two minutes later by York's Robert Black and two more by Mathew Palleschi over the next 20 minutes in a 5-2 loss.
"It was like a prick in a balloon," Harry Gauss, City's technical director and general manager, said of the no-goal. "That was quite a swing. Ours is called back and then, just like that, they score. Instead of being up 3-2, we're down by that. That's just how our season has gone."
Asked about the play, Hemming smiled and said: "I wasn't offside."
Gauss was less diplomatic, saying the call was made by "an official who looked like he was asleep."
The loss means City finishes the season at 2-16-3, last in the 10-team league, while the Shooters end up one place higher at 4-15-3.
Hemming, in Grade 11 at Saunders secondary school, heads back to Grimsby Town during the March school break and, if he signs, he'll go back for the long term in June.
"They told me they're 80-90 per cent sure they'll offer me a contract," said Hemming, who played three games with Grimsby Town's under-16 team and trained with the under-19s and the big team's reserves.
Hemming was dominant at times yesterday, looking particularly good on a high, looping pass that City striker Sandro Costantin of Wallaceburg collected and deposited for the first of his two goals.
"(The CPSL) is a really good league. I've enjoyed playing in it and I've learned everything," Hemming said. "It's been the perfect place for me to play and keep my standards up."
YORK REGION 5, LONDON 2 York goals: Robert Black and Mathew Palleschi, two each, and Mike Mazza London goals: Sandro Costantin, two

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home