GS United Commitment to Excellence

Woodbridge Azzurri and PCC Supersonics lineups before Ontario Cup semi final 2005

Woodbridge did advance from their semi final and the stage was set for GS to come up against Woodbridge Azzurri in

the final. GS was the underdog and Coach Williams was faced with tough defensive match ups. Former GS forward Peter Firebrace was coming off a spectacular performance in his semi final match and was the Man of the Match after scoring two goals in Woodbridge defeat of PCC Supersonic 3-0. The dilemma was how to limit the effectiveness of the leading goal scorer and MVP Gladstone “Scratchy” Richards without giving Peter free reign. The 2005 Ontario Cup final was one of the most highly anticipated in the history of the Cup finals in quite some time. Woodbridge did not just have a formidable forward line they had a solid team with a decent midfield and solid defense led by Rene Martin who was also a former GS player. The feeling going into the final was that Coach Williams had to pick his poison against Woodbridge Azzurri.

Peter Firebrace, Gladstone Richards and Rene Martin

The 2005 final was played on Sunday September 18th and Coach Williams did exactly what the doctor ordered. The wide open Ontario Cup championship final everyone expected with Peter Firebrace and “Scratchy” Richards continually terrorizing GS defenders never materialized. It was a survival of the fittest affair which eventually favored GS United. The fact that GS was the underdog for the final worked well for Coach Williams and the team. They had underperformed in games they were favored and were convinced that if they stuck to their game plan they had the best chance of winning the championship final.

Woodbridge Azzurri before Ontario Cup semi-finalist at the Hershey Centre, Mississauga Woodbridge Azzurri before their semi final match against PCC Supersonics in Ontario Cup

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