Satosek's brace leads Huron United FC to bounce-back win over FC Rohingya B

Coming off its worst defeat of the season, the Huron United Football Club came into its match against FC Rohingya B, Aug. 5, knowing it needed a positive result to maintain its position in second place in the Tri-City Men's Soccer League table. 

Manager Anirudha Panditrao emphasized the need to bounce back from last week's drubbing with a strong start and disciplined play, and his team obliged with a commanding 3-0 victory. The result brings Huron United's record on the season to 6-3-2.

Panditrao’s squad took his pre-match direction to heart in the opening stages, putting Rohingya on its heels with a relentless press. Attackers Gerrit Satosek and Drew Cobean combined to create two separate chances in close for Andrew Wiegersma, one of which was denied by a heroic effort from the Rohingya keeper.

Cobean earned another chance from the edge of the 18-yard box after Huron United’s press forced an interception, but the keeper managed to corral Cobean's shot with a diving save.

Centre-back Shady Dahrouj stood out early in offence and defence, surging forward to create chances on the fast break, and consistently rising to meet Rohingya balls in the air. Huron United keeper Josh Coleman was sharp throughout the first half, tracking aerial balls off set pieces and charging forward to snuff out potential through balls. 

Attacking midfielder James Jeffreys served as Huron United's primary fulcrum of attack throughout the first half, deftly executing turns to transition possessions into attacking opportunities. One such sequence in the 33rd minute unleashed striker Jason Leiskau who fended off the encroaching Rohingya defender with his farm strength and slid the ball under the keeper into the side netting.

Leiskau followed up his feat of strength with a feat of cunning on the brink of half-time. After Cobean flicked a header onto Satosek, Leiskau recognized he was at risk of drawing the offside flag if he took a touch on Satosek’s leading pass. Instead, Leiskau baited the Rohingya defender into following him and let the ball roll past him. Satosek then found himself in the unusual situation of catching up to his own through ball, and he rewarded his quality pass with a quality finish into the bottom left corner, giving Huron United a 2-0 lead on the half-time whistle.

Satosek ensured the first half's theme of hard-pressing carried into the second frame, earning a goal in the 48th minute that was reminiscent of many he's scored in a Ripley Wolves uniform. Sensing the Rohingya keeper was taking too long in possession, Satosek surged into the six-yard box and smothered the belated clearing attempt before dribbling the ball over the line to increase Huron United’s advantage to 3-0.

A skirmish surrounding holding midfielder Cam Fletcher precipitated an exchange of pleasantries that resulted in mutual ejections for Masoom Saromie and a Rohingya midfielder, leaving the teams to close out the match at 10-a-side. Coleman stayed sharp throughout the administrative delay, coming up with a huge save on a subsequent odd-man break from Rohingya, parrying a hard shot to safety. Huron United’s backline withstood Rohingya’s late press to break through and helped Coleman preserve his clean sheet.

Satosek was voted Man of the Match for his brace and the constant threat he brought up front, while Jeffreys and Dahrouj earned honourable mentions. Fletcher also reminded the squad that his personal undefeated season continues apace.

The Huron United FC, based out of Saugeen Shores United Football Club, continues its TMSL campaign against Riverside FC B, Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Spinrite Field, Listowel. The squad features players from Kincardine, Port Elgin, and surrounding areas. For team updates, visit kdslsoccer.com.