The Penticton Pinnacles are inching closer to first place in the Pacific Coast Soccer League men’s Reserve Division.
A 2-1 victory over Kelowna United puts them three points behind the first place Mid Isle Highlanders with just four regular season games left.
“Mid Isle is rolling and they are really good this year. Our goal is to just win the rest of our games and that is basically all we can do,” said player and co-coach Wyatt Seddon-Johnstone. “We have four games left and our last one is against Mid Isle at home, so hopefully we beat them there. If Mid Isle falters in their next few games, which I am not sure if they will, and we do get first that would be ideal.”
Pinnacles’ Randy Hubber, who has been described by teammates as a “spark plug,” contributed both goals for the team in the win over Kelowna United on the weekend.
For the first of his goals, both scored in the first half, he came screaming down the left side and buried the ball into the far corner.
“He is flying. It is tough to score in this league but he has been doing a great job,” said Seddon-Johnstone. “His second goal on the weekend was a combination of a nice play from Xavier Araujo, who did a nice job to find Hubber, who then came down the left and put in a right footed shot in the corner of the goal again.”
The Pinnacles next face West Vancouver FC on the road on Saturday then Chilliwack FC on Sunday.
“These are two big games for us. West Vancouver FC tied us 1-1 last time and took points away from us at home. Hopefully we can do the same to them,” said Seddon-Johnstone.
After dealing with a number of injuries this season, including James Frasier who booted in a few goals in his first game before suffering a season ending injury, Seddon-Johnstone said the squad is looking forward to having a few players joining them from Vernon.
They also will see the return of Rico Patrocinio mid-July. He attends school in Mexico and played with the Pinnacles in their Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Division Challenge Cup win last season.
“He is a really good player, good defender and it will be nice to have him back to add to our numbers,” said Seddon-Johnstone.