Brantford Galaxy and Toronto Atomic FC fought to a scoreless draw in an otherwise entertaining encounter in the Canadian Soccer League season opener at Lions Park, Brantford Saturday night.
Galaxy, now in its seventh season since stepping into the CSL in 2010 to win the championship in stunning fashion that inaugural year, were at home to second year Toronto Atomic. The Toronto team finished last season in fifth spot in the 2015 standings, while Galaxy struggled most of last season to end in 11th position .
It was an even first half with few scoring opportunities, but goals appeared more likely following the interval when the home side almost found the net at 50 minutes when forward Milan Beader crossed the ball for Krum Bigishkrov to head just wide of the post with Atomic goalkeeper Ihor Vitiv beaten.
Atomic came close to going ahead at 55 minutes when Mateo Fajardo set up an goalmouth opportunity, and 18 minutes later the visitors’ Tighana Alexander Thompson had a shot cleared off the goal line by Brantford’s Miljan Milovic.
Galaxy head coach Tomo Dancetovic considered neither team deserved to lose and that his team needed more time on the training field. “ It was a fair result,” he said following the final whistle. “Our side needs to do a lot of work to get where we need to be to be competitive, but that will come together as the new players get to know each other on the field.”
Midfielder Sasa Vidovic, a player with the Galaxy since the club launched six years ago, competed the first half before being substituted at halftime.
In an afternoon clash, the home reserve side Brantford Galaxy B nipped Toronto Atomic FC B, 3-2.
Galaxy are back at Lions Park for a home game against York Region Shooters next Sunday, May 29, while Toronto Atomic FC visit Hamilton for a game with the City at the Cardinal Newman ground Friday, June 3. Both games kickoff at 7 pm.
