Second win in a row for Peterborough’s ECFC men’s squad
Team is breaking in a largely new roster of players this year
Progress.
That’s what Electric city FC’s men’s team is looking for early in their League1 Ontario Premier division season as they break in a largely new roster.
After losing their opening match, they have won three of four and two in a row after a 2-0 win over Masters FA on Saturday afternoon at the Fleming Sports Complex. Baldwin Igbinobaro scored goals in the 13th and 37th minutes and keeper Svytek Artemenko produced the clean sheet.
Both are among those newcomers with ECFC returning just five players from their inaugural 2022 season.
ECFC controlled the first half and Master’s had good possession in the second half but rarely penetrated the defence to get many quality chances.
“We’re seeing progress,” said Artemenko. “From Game 1 to Game 5 the chemistry on the team is improving every day and we’re finally starting to play as one big unit rather than 11 separate people on the field. That is amazing and that is what is getting our results right now.”
During pre-season training, the players lived in cabins together near Havelock and now live in student residences at Fleming. It’s helped them to bond.
“The toughest thing coming in was not knowing anybody on the team, not just for me but for everyone on the team,” said Artemenko.
“The team has come together pretty well,” said Igbinobaro, who had to leave the game in the second half after sustaining a knee injury. “We didn’t start off the way we wanted to start, but we’re finding our chemistry as the weeks go on and it’s a reason the team can do good this year.”
They were his first two goals with ECFC. “I was happy to be able to contribute with my two goals,” said Igbinobaro. “We had a plan before the match and during the week and we had to come and execute the plan and I was happy I was able to help our team.”
Philip Rakic beat a defender wide and crossed the ball through the box where Igbinobaro tapped it in. Igbinobaro then drilled a shot from just inside the box under diving keeper Spiridon Spiro Koskinas.
ECFC hits the road for three games starting May 26 at St. Catharines Roma. Their next home game is June 10 at 2 p.m. versus Hamilton United at Fleming.
The ECFC women battled FC London to a 0-0 draw in London on Saturday night with keeper Breanne Carreiro recording the shutout.
It leaves the women with a 1-2-2 record.
They host Pro Stars FC on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Fleming.