The 2023 Ironworker’s Derby, A Two-Legged Affair: Game 1 Recap + Game 2 Preview

Our sun-soaked Rovers gamedays at Swangard are already winding down for the year, sadly – the last five matches of the season are all on the road as work is being done to the track that surrounds our grass pitch. Sunday’s home tilt against Altitude FC, the first leg of the this year’s Ironworker’s Derby, was the penultimate chance to root for the home team in 2023. The League1 BC season is already short enough, running for only three full months of the year, May thru July; most of our Rovers are also collegiate athletes, and thus their window of playing time outside of school is short. It’s tough to have no July home games this go ‘round – just as the summer is heating up, Swangard is shutting down. Not only that, but the last home match, on June 21st against the Whitecaps, is a Wednesday night game. The full-day home affairs ended on Sunday, and it was a fitting way to go out. While the Rovers’ women’s team scraped their way towards a hard-fought point, the men’s team cruised to a big win, scoring four brilliant goals. By the day’s end, much smoke and song erupted into the relatively clean and clear BC air. Our home campaign may be short, but it’s been bountiful, full of lasting memories. 

As I made it down towards field level a few minutes into the start of the first match, I was greeted by the Swanguardians’ tifo tent – an open-sided, pull-out covering with a large black swan tifo acting as a back wall. It’s a new shade-supplying feature that debuted last week while I was away, which doubles as an intimidating visual presence. Rovers continue to sport their all-black look, looking rather intimidating themselves. Their play supported this image as, like always, this Rovers side was unafraid to defend their half with a strong tackle. Play was a bit stuck in the middle over the first few minutes, possession ping-ponging back and forth. North Van’s Altitude, dressed in full baby-blue – “Man City cosplay,” according to one Swanguardian – began to press more into the Rovers’ end around the 20 minute mark, drawing our keeper, Camellia Xu, into action. She made a diving move to her left, blocking the shot with confidence. Back-to-back strong tackles by Rovers’ 10 and 11, midfielders Kathleen Aitchison and Amanda Scott, got the Swanguardians fired up. Apart from a goal, there’s little the support appreciates more than a shut-down tackle before them. More pressure by Altitude, but more great D by Rovers. “Look at these challenges,” said another Swanguardian in awe. As usual, Rovers were laying in to protect their goal. They did so expertly, avoiding the ref’s ire. One battle for in the box saw the ball squeeze out and onto the foot of a visiting player. A point blank shot came but Camelia makes another great save, diving to the right this time with a powerful paw, diverting the attack.

Rovers chances to this point had promise, but ultimately wouldn’t challenge the keeper to any great extent. A free kick came for Altitude from about 25 out, but it did not trouble Xu, the ball floating on a rope right into her hands. We received some more great D by Amanda; she jockeyed an attacking Altitude player, blocking out with her body before snatching the ball for a clearance. The ref soon called for a hydration break, which was well received by the support, who, in these moments, like to remind everyone in earshot that “there’s water in beer.” Way to stay healthy, gang. After the restart, Rovers remained “calm on the ball” but found a couple of their clearances stuffed. One met an unfriendly bounce that bore an Altitude corner. The resulting ball in zoomed right to the heart of the box rather dangerously and almost went in off one of our own, but clutch Camelia was there again. “She saves us goals!” Rovers then found some room to send a break-out pass to the right, creating good space for Nikki Verk to run the ball down, save it from touch, and get an accurate cross in. Her go would ultimately hit a Rover in the box, bouncing up and over the goal harmlessly. The half was winding down, and by this point the Swanguardians felt confident enough in their own inebriation to declare, “We’re higher than you!” I certainly couldn’t disagree, as I had already enjoyed a pre-game smoke on the way in. Another free kick came for Altitude but their effort floated harmlessly out. Rovers then got a quick-strike chance, making a couple of quality passes, including a smart cross in by Delana Friesen. This gave Maddy Mah a chance in the box, but Altitude’s all-orange keeper came flying in and claimed the ball. One more opportunity arose for Rovers from afar, which made the keep move, but it wan’t a real scoring threat in the end. The halftime whistle came, signalling another break to recharge in the shade. 

I stumbled back a little late once again, but that’s ok, so did the Altitude support! The travelling fans appeared suddenly on the opposite end of the pitch at the start of the second half, a small group of four or five supporters with one absolutely massive pale-blue flag. Rovers found a couple of good chances after the restart, largely lead by Nikki, who we’re very glad to have back from injury. She can dominate the wing and is always capable of a cutting run towards the box. The “pylon,” which the orange away keeper had now been dubbed, made a couple of confident saves to keep Rovers off the score sheet. The Swanguardians didn’t mind, they seemed pretty happy to merely “hit the pylon.” Play stalled for a moment, but out of this lull came a scary chance for Altitude; Xu lost control of the ball in the box and it was big a scramble to clear, but Rovers did end up getting to safety. The home support was starting to get in their heads now, as we so often do; apparently one of Altitude’s defenders, number 23, asked the Swanguardians to tone it down. Uh oh, you know how that works out! Such requests are only more fuel for the fire of ire. We don’t need that ‘tude from the ‘Tude. Rovers, now attacking towards the home support, got a shot off with some pace from outside the box, but it found the pylon once again. They kept pressing, getting the run of play and chances. “Bohemian Rhapsody” erupted as Rovers continued to look for the game’s first goal. The home side had a great chance at the far post off a corner in the 75th minute, the ball falling right to defender Joanna Vervoza-Dolezal at the far post, but her shot rocketed off the bar and out. Ooohs and aaahs from the Swanguardians, who thought that was the break-through moment. Yet another good chance came soon after, almost a breakaway with some potential for a lofted chip over the keep, but the shot didn’t come off just so. Rovers maintained possession as the second half wore on, getting a couple of good chances on net, but the pylon was in the way each time. Altitude pushed down into the Rovers end as the 90th hit, getting what felt like their first chance of the half, and suddenly rocketed a shot off the crossbar from within the 18. Some good fortune for Rovers to avoid the counter rush goal. Play really opened up at the end; it was clear both sides were pressing for the late goal and all three points, but neither could find that finishing touch in the final third. Rovers’ two-game winning streak ended with a nil-nil draw, though it was another classic example of their defensive organisation and commitment. 

Reminder: Always stay on your toes between matches, you never know when sudden showers might return. As is often the case, the field’s sprinkler system had a go before the men’s game, soaking the supporters section in the process. This particular day provided extra chaos as the spray started to pound the tents, sending a stead stream down onto everything underneath. Cool down with some time in the sprinkler tent, why don’t you! This downpour did pass, and as the anthem finished the men got into position and saluted their support. “Seven Nation Army” blared through the speakers in competition with the Swanguardian drums. The big surprise at the start of play was no Ivan Meija, an unusual move by Rovers to leave out their dynamic, speedy playmaker.

A free kick from 25 yards out for Altitude marked the first real chance for either side, as there were no real threats on goal to speak of before the 5th minute. The divisive sound of a vuvuzela wafted from the stands as the ‘Tude lined up their kick, as did an accidental message from someone’s Siri through the stadium speakers. The first chance for Rovers looked promising, but the resulting shot flew way up high over the net. As the 10th minute ticked on, a corner came for the opposition on the left. A head-high cross few in, but our all-green keep – Connor Adams got the start in this one, giving Justyn some rest – rose up confidently to punch away the ball with a fist. Overall, it was a somewhat sleepy start to the half. Altitude had possession but not much venom in the final third. Rovers were passing well in their own end under pressure, and Chris Corrigan, the Swanguardian’s lead vocalist, was loving it: “Silky play,” he exclaimed, “so silky I could sleep on it on a hot night. 850 thread count!” And that’s just in response to Rovers playing out of the back; imagine the scenes when we’re baring down on net. As the coaching staff has preached, preparedness leads to confidence and therefore calmness under pressure. It showed here. The first corner for Rovers came in the 19th minute off the right, and with it was the day’s first chants of “Here we go!” Kyle Jones put a decent cross in towards the back post, but Altitude were ready and waiting to clear.

A beautiful sliding tackle by our number 3, Gabe Escobar, gave the Swanguardians new voice. It was a risky play going down in the box but the move was executed to perfection; Gabe got all ball and Rovers cleared out to safety. This attentive defence was rewarded by a goal for Rovers just a minute later, in the 25th. A poor clearance by ‘Tude led to a turnover. Erik Edwardson claimed the ball in the process, providing a nice cutting pass through the box to Massud Habibullah, who easily popped the ball into the net. It would have been a satisfying tally for Rovers’ number 9, as Massud played for North Van’s League1 BC side last year. We were giving some ‘tude ourselves – some sharp digs by the Swanguardians erupted: “Can you hear Altitude sing? Nooo, nooo; All they’ve got is a big corporate flag!” Another chance for Rovers came soon after, a header in the box off a cross. It floated out for a goal kick harmlessly, however. It’s clear the opening goal gave the Swanguardians some energy. More jeers by the Black Swans came, and the ‘Tude support fought back, holding out their ginormous flag with arms raised in the air. One shout of protest floated over from their side of the pitch to ours. Our keeper Connor even got some digs in; Altitude’s oversized flag is just “compensation,” he argued. Zing!

Ivan came into the fold at half, but a flying rugby tackle by the Altitude defence was what really got the second 45 going. It was another a set-piece chance for Rovers just outside the box. As Erik set up over the ball, the Swanguardians amplified their heckling, shouting out a million erroneous directions towards the ‘Tude wall, contrasting every bit of instruction by their pylon-looking keeper. Edwardson’s kick slammed into the aforementioned wall, but he smartly pounced on the rebound, absolutely ripping a one-time shot top bins. GOALAZO! A Goal of the Year candidate for sure. EE then sprinted towards the supporters, made a jumping slide to his knees, got up, and came in for hugs. A grey plum of celebratory smoke rose into the sky above. This goal also came with magical properties, transforming their keeper from a traffic cone into a “sour tangerine.” The Swanguardians were sure vocalize this update.

Altitude made a line change in the 60th minute, bringing on four new players. The fresh legs didn’t seem to help, however, as a mere two minutes later a ‘Tude defensemen undoubtedly shoved an attacking Ivan to the ground in the box, a blatant PK. The Swanguardians kept searching for new material, now chanting “Trevor (the keep’s actual name) we’re in your head! Treeeeevooor!” No mercy during the 90, as always. That’s what the Swanguardians are there for! If you don’t like the smoke and jeers, play better defence. Trevor soon did just that, diving to his right to make the save. He roared out in response, clearly venting some frustration. “You have a bad altitude,” chirped a Swanguardian cleverly. Another free kick soon came for Rovers, from the right, but the ball in was knocked out by the ‘Tude defence for a corner. The resulting cross in was sent out for yet another corner. It was a “Here we go, there we went” situation as the ball finally flew well over the net, clearly no trouble for our weary friend Trevor.

Ivan continued to make an impact, showing off some nice moves to leave two baby-blue players in the dust, but he could only get so far on his own. Altitude, hoping to cut their deficit in half, finally got a real chance in the box; Connor went to ground to make the save as Rovers scrambled, but the resulting shot flew way over the bar. A good result for a field goal, but that’s the wrong football. “One job and you fucked it up,” heckled the Swanguardians. More trouble came in the Rovers box, resulting in another mad scramble, but the shot was eventually blocked and cleared to safety. Rovers countered; an explorative ball by Ivan cut across the field to the left, leading to a nice cross in. The ball met the head of a diving Erik, but his bold attempt on net was saved as a second rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” wound down just behind. Warnings of “Now you’re in trouble” by the Swanguardians came as the 85th minute struck. The ‘Tude made a bad pass back to their keeper as Rovers pressured, and Kyle Jones dipped in to intercept the ball and slide it into the net. “Assisted by the entire Altitude back 9,” the Swanguardians declared unofficially. Kyle’s havin’ poached eggs tonight, that’s for sure! Five minutes to go with a three goal lead? Game over.

Ivan seemingly wanted some poached eggs himself. The star midfielder sprinted towards goal at an incredible speed to snatch the ball off a defender, take control it, advance on the net, and slide a shot past Trevor. Great hustle at the end of a done game; the hunger is always there for Ivan. This resulted in more hugs with the supporters, who developed a new song right on the spot: “No nay, Trevor, no nay never no more, when you play the Rovers, you’re gonna give up four!” Credit to the keep, though, when the merciful whistle finally blew, he gave us a clap on his way off the pitch. A class response in the face of major adversity, props to the lad. The day ended on an emotional note as Devin O’Hea, back with the side for the first time since tragically losing his mother, came over to receive his signed Swanguardians scarf and soak up some love. Finally, Erik came over to fix his divots from his goal celebration, geting some high-fives and a loving ribbing in the process. The popular Rover said the support was “incredible” today, as was the resounding win.  

Now we look ahead to the second leg of this derby, the completion of a home-and-away, back-to-back battle. Rovers and their faithful supporters will head over the Ironworker’s Bridge to North Van’s Kinsman Park on Sunday, looking for more opportunities to let their smoke fly. A rivalry game is always important, but the men’s side are only one point behind top spot in the league, so another win against the cellar-dwelling Altitude would be huge in their hunt for the league championship. Rovers are not only keen for another title, they want Voyageurs Cup berth that comes with it as well. Furthermore, the ‘Tude claimed the series last season, earning a point at Swangard and all three at home, so Rovers will be keen to cement their payback this week. Look for Massud to continue his scoring ways against his former team, while former Rover Connor Hildebrant will undoubtedly want further fuel for his rivalry beef on Twitter.

Rovers’ women’s side trails Altitude in the standings by exactly three points, so a win would be huge for their continued fight back into contention. Get the dub on Sunday and Chelsey Hannesson’s side will be tied for fourth place, big given the top four teams at season’s end make the playoffs. And given their slow start, every point matters. Last Sunday Rovers proved they can shut down Altitude’s attack well, so now it will be a matter of getting on the score sheet. Forward Devon Kavanagh bagged two goals against Rivers and now leads the team in scoring, so she will undoubtedly want to stay hot and tally a couple more. Let this Battle of the Bridge finale commence!