Serbian White Eagles increased their lead at the top of the CSL First Division with a 1-0 victory over Toronto Croatia, while Niagara United and Brampton City Utd fought to a scoreless draw, two games in the CSL First Division Saturday.
It was a well-played encounter between Toronto Croatia, back from its third-place finish in the Croatian World Club Championship at Zagreb last week, and top-of-the table Serbian White Eagles, the game played at the Loyola HS Stadium.
It was an own goal that decided the outcome when, at the 65 minute Milos Scepanovic crossed the ball from the left for Serbian White Eagles, but Toronto Croatia defender Halburto Harris put the ball past goalkeeper during a misunderstanding close to the home side’s goal.
There were few opportunities for an equalizer in the game and when Toronto Croatia came close to finding the net, Serbian Eagles’ goalkeeper Goran Skaric was outstanding for the visitors.
Both sides lost a player at when referee Samuel Jaramillo showed the red card to Milan Kusic of Serbian White Eagles and Tihomir Maletic of Toronto Croatia following some rough play at 78 minutes and with the sides down to 10 men the game ended 1-0.
Serbian White Eagles remain on top of the standings with a 6-1-3WLT record for 21 points, while Toronto Croatia are now at 5-3-1 for 16 points.
Brampton goalkeeper Cristian Benecio Montero Valez was alert to make good saves for Brampton City United in the scoreless tie with Niagara United and Matthew Greco was also solid in the Niagara goal at the Kalar Sports Park in Niagara Falls.
Both clubs are in a position of needing points to be sure of a playoff spot, with Brampton now at 3-4-2 for 11 points and Niagara United at 1-8-2 for 5 points.
In the CSL Second Division, Niagara United B and Brampton City Utd B played to a 2-2 tie, Toronto Atomic FC B ran over Serbian White Eagles B, 5-0, and SC Waterloo B crushed Milton SC B 7-0.
There is a change in the kickoff time for Sunday’s Second Division clash between York Region Shooters B and Toronto Atomic FC B at the St. Joan of Arc ground in Maple, which now has a 4 pm start, brought forward from the original 8.45 pm kickoff.