After a hiatus during the 2012 summer season and a respectable fourth place finish in the Regina Soccer Association's top flight during the winter season, the Yorkton United Football Club returned to summer action under the lights at Liebel Field as they took on Regina Juventus in a Monday night clash.
The YUFC, led by player/manager Dillon Ferridge brought 13 of their best to Regina in hopes of grabbing three points in their season opening fixture. Employing a 4-1-4-1 formation the Yorkton side looked to build from the back and work their strength in speed and skill with a midfielder heavy formation, but a quick Juve goal on a low cross that was put past keeper Jonny Bell put Yorkton down 1-nil midway through the first half. Juventus would defend that lead for the rest of the opening 45 minutes of play, with the Yorkton boys threatening, but could not find the moment of brilliance to break down a very stingy Juventus back end as the score stayed 1-nil going into halftime.
In the second half the United's fitness and superior skill over their opponents began to show as the away side began to start getting more quality chances, but the Juventus keeper would answer the test making a huge save off a Mark Okeny strike to keep the score 1-nil. Garrett McCallum would barely miss a golden chance in front of the net as well in the opening stages of the second half as the United continued to dominate the run of play, but were unable to find something to show for it as Juventus clung to their one goal lead with some solid goalkeeping and last ditch defending.
Paul Litzenberger would finally find the back of the net, capitalizing on some nifty dribbling to get some distance in the box and slotting in the YUFC's first goal of the 2013 season to earn the equalizer with plenty of time left in the final 45 minutes. After Litzenberger's goal the team kept on pressing over a Juventus team that continued to look increasingly more tired as the game went on, but still could not find the second goal to take the three points they came to Regina for. Litzenberger got one more chance after a through ball sent him in one on one with the keeper charging out of his box, but Litzenberger just could not make a move around the Juventus keep who was the man of the match for his side keeping the Yorkton team at bay despite numerous quality chances.
In the end the YUFC earned a hard fought draw after going down 1-nil early in the opening game of the season. Some hard play from Robert Okeny and Brandon McCallum in the back was the key in the second half as Juventus attack was stifled as the talented pair put in some hard tackles on their opponents, giving Yorkton the majority of possession. The United will now look to regroup ahead of next Monday's fixture at Taylor Field.
