Rovers Hunt for Points & Playoff Positioning in Their Last Lower Mainland Match, Look Ahead to Harbourside

Rovers are a-roving this July, off on the road for the last five matches of the 2023 League1 BC season, but this ain’t no Summer vacation. Both the men’s and women’s teams have work to do to ensure they make the playoffs, and to stay in contention for the Juan de Fuca Plate. Chelsea Hannesson’s side are in the fourth and final playoff spot, but only by one point over Harbourside FC, their next opponent. First-year head coach Darren Russcher has his men in first place, though they’re technically tied with the Victoria Highlanders for points and therefore lead thanks to goal differential. The Juan de Fuca Plate is awarded to the top lower-division BC team with the highest combined (men’s and women’s) points total, and Rovers are one of the two teams still in contention. They trail Whitecaps by 6 points, so the objective is for more results like last weekend’s away double-header at Nausta’mawt FC, where they won both games and secured a maximum haul. Rovers don’t completely control their destiny, needing some help from the league with the Caps, but winning out would greatly increase their chances.

The dry, hot weather has been a fixture for a while now, so sun protection was top of mind at Thunderbird Stadium last Saturday. The UBC Football (Handegg) program is the word at the ‘Bird, and their presence is felt; primarily via the white gridiron yard markers that chart the plastic field. The footy pitch is outlined in yellow, though the touch lines don’t sit evenly within the rest. It’s all a bit messy. Though, as one Swanguardian pointed out, you can determine the length of a pass on the fly. Forget complex computer analytics, just put 100 little yard lines on the field. Outside of the state of the pitch, Thunderbird is the same as I remember it from attending concerts there as a teen. It’s basically a big oval hole in the ground with a grassy hill on one side and a large, covered stand on the other. The place was built in the ’60s and, aside from a few coats of paint and new signage, it seems not much has changed since then. Most of the seating is of the flat bleacher variety. Some of the Swanguardians huddled at the railing above our banners and flags, as close to the touch line as possible… And yet that was still pretty darn far away, as the rectangle field(s) of play sit far back in the egg-shaped hole in the ground, towards the knoll. Most of us pale swans had to migrate up the stand to remain in the shade as the sun moved in the sky overhead.

The truth is, we owned that stand. Nausta’mawt do their part to liven the gameday experience, hanging their own banners, setting off their own blue and yellow smoke upon any goal scored. Their somewhat freaky bird mascot thing bangs a small drum. The PA man says “Youuuuuuur Nausta’mawt FC.” But, despite all of that, you get the feeling that no one’s home. This is all team driven. There’s no Nausta’mawt supporters section organically bringing the matchday to life. A couple of their staff, free to roam the vast territory between the stand and the nearest touch line, were the ones to uncork the smoke. Most of the other folks there seemed to be family and friends of those on the pitch. Were it not for the Swanguardians, a few golf claps would be the only thing heard. Thunderbird was soon “The Library,” an otherwise peaceful place disrupted on this day by our smoke and song. Our presence is a present.

Nausta’mawt were the first to tally, hence the corporate smoke. Their women’s side led ours one to nil for all of two minutes before Nikki Virk levelled the score. Rovers’ speedy midfielder was determined to make something happen, driving the ball into Nausta’mawt’s end immediately after the restart. A scramble in the box ensued and Virk was there to eventually tap it in. There’s nothing like scoring immediately after your opposition, especially when smoke is involved. A dark grey plume quickly billowed out from the front of our little section, catching the wind and wafting up towards the rest of the stand, sending people to its edges. The scoreline was once again level and every single person in that place knew it. We then got a talking to by one of their staff, who informed us smoke could only be unleashed from the expanse below on field level. Noted.

The Rovers women were entrenched in another gritty match. One of our Pirate players broke a tooth clean in half. Hard tackles, turf burn. They battled it out as always. But this time Hannesson’s heroes would get their reward, and in dramatic fashion, scoring in the 86th minute. An attacking pass into the box set forward Kyara Armenta free and after two quick touches she slid one past their keeper into the bottom left of the net. 2-1 Rovers. They would see it out, picking up three huge points and fulfilling their end of the bargain in the hunt for a double-win day. Red smoke for victory. The wind had its way in the end, quickly wafting it from field to stand despite our best efforts. Same result, smoke in the seats… whoopsie.

As the men took the field, the major thing of note was the return of “Star Man” Ivan Meija, back from what we all thought was a promotion to the CPL. Whatever the reason for his return, Rovers’ flashy forward certainly made his presence felt, quickly unleashing tricky moves and clever passes that elicited “oohs” and “ahhs” from the Swanguardians. At one point he had three- or four-straight shots blocked around the edge of the box. We were singin’ Ivan’s song, but it was our lucky 13, Kyle Jones, that opened the scoring. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball and made no mistake. With four minutes to go until half, Rovers needed to defend well and maintain their advantage at the break. Our ever-reliable keeper Justyn Sandhu did his part, diving to make a fine save just as the whistle blew. Only 45+ minutes stood in the way of the all-important six points now, and you know Rovers would be coming out strong in the second to put this game to bed and send us supporters home happy.

We didn’t have to wait too long for a bit of insurance. Exactly 20 minutes into the second half, forward Massud Habibullah, his head mummy-like in a white bandage due to an early collision, surged forward, fighting off a Nausta’mawt defender with his strength. Rovers’ number 9 calmly introduced ball to net and sent the travelling support into delirium. In fact, our capo was so excited by this wicked strike he started singing for the wrong Rover; “Star Man” erupted once more and the Swanguardians rolled with it, praising Ivan in error. Given how fluid and threatening Mr. Meija had been on the day the mistake was understandable, though Massud’s head wrapping should have been enough of a tip off. No matter, the important part was that Rovers lead by two with 25 to go. The full six-point success story was in sight.

A two goal lead with 15 to play isn’t always comfortable; one strike and they’re right back in it, hunting for an equalizer to get something on the day. But Rovers relieved us of our worries, controlling the ball well and eating up time. They made it through the three-plus minutes of stoppage time, despite the referee’s refusal to blow the whistle. Finally that sweet, shrill three-note call rang out and Rovers had done it – all six points at the Library! We lit up some more red smoke and, as we did with the women’s team earlier, went down the stairs to field level for high fives. Some flags came along for the ride, and a proper celebration was had with the team and coaching staff. Today, this was our house.

Now it’s time to embark on another sea voyage to the Island, this time to take over the home of Nanaimo’s Harbourside FC. As previously stated, both Rovers sides have a lot to play for; the women’s team is a lone point ahead of this week’s opposition for the last playoff spot, and the men will want to clear a little room between them and the Highlanders. Plus, with some help – like two Whitecaps losses – a six-point day today could tie Rovers with the Caps at the top of the Juan de Fuca Plate table. Never a dull moment with the ever-aspirational Rovers!

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All of the friendly banter aside, many thanks to Nausta’mawt, who very kindly gifted us tickets to the match as a show of good will. The Swanguardians are grateful! We also very much support the continued growth of Indigenous-led football, which Nausta’mawt do so well. Our league and sport is better for their presence.