Streak ends for FC Men; Beefs win opener; Majors’ weekend woes

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Aug. 7-13) — for London’s teams and athletes.

The London Beefeaters opened their 2023 season with an 18-0 win in Ottawa Saturday. (Photo: Beefeaters Football).

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FC London

Entering the week without a loss in their previous eight games, FC London’s men’s squad extended that streak to nine last Wednesday with a 3-2 win over Windsor City FC. Santiago Fonseca got the scoring started just before halftime to put London ahead on their home turf.

Windsor tied the game early in the second half, but goals by Jimmy Wilcox (67th minute) and Kuhle Bekwayo (71st minute) gave London a 3-1 advantage. Windsor pulled to within a goal in the 85th minute but they were unable to secure an equalizer and London won their fifth match in nine tries (the other four being draws).

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and FC London’s unbeaten streak was halted Saturday by Sigma FC. Playing on the road, London was outplayed to the tune of a 5-1 decision. Down 2-0 after 15 minutes, the visitors did pull to within a goal late in the half, as Owura Boateng scored his first of the season. But it was all Sigma FC in the second half, as they scored insurance goals to cruise to the win.

Up next:

The men (6-7-6) play their final match of the season Saturday at home against North Mississauga SC. They’ll hope to finish a respectable .500 after a strong second half of the 2023 season.

Men:
Sat. Aug. 19 (8:00pm vs. North Mississauga SC)

London Majors

After a Wednesday win, the Majors had a rough weekend, dropping all three of their games to miss an opportunity to make up ground in the standings.

An otherwise disappointing week did get off to a good start last Wednesday when London beat Hamilton 11-5 at Labatt Park. Owen Boon delivered on the mound for the Majors, striking out 12 while allowing three runs in six innings of work. Jaryd Lund tossed the final three frames, giving up a pair of runs while earning a save. The Majors’ offense exploded in the second inning, putting up seven runs to take a commanding lead. Drew Lawrence, Byron Reichstein, Eduardo de Oleo and Kayne McGee each had a pair of RBIs in the win.

Unfortunately for the Majors, the losing then began. It started Friday with a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Kitchener Panthers. Wilbur Martinez pitched well but was charged with the loss, allowing five runs over seven innings. Skylar Janisse was charged with the sixth Kitchener run in the ninth inning. The Majors scored their only runs of the game in the bottom of the first, courtesy Tommy Reyes-Cruz’s run-scoring double. Dan Battel and Charlie Bowman each had a pair of hits in the loss.

The Majors then suffered a disappointing 10-1 loss to the last-place Brantford Red Sox on Saturday. Jaryd Lund got the start and allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings. He walked five and struck out three. Braenden Ferrington allowed another three runs (although only one earned) in three innings of work. The Majors scored their only run in the fourth on a Brett Graham fielder's choice. Cleveland Brownlee and Reyes-Cruz finished with a pair of hits.

The Majors put up a good fight on Sunday, but fell short to the Hamilton Cardinals 10-9 on the road. Down 2-0 early, the Majors’ offense struck back with a Starling Joseph three-run homer to give them a lead in the fourth. It was short lived, though, as the Cardinals scored five in the bottom half of the inning. London took the lead again in the eighth, with another three-run inning, but the Cardinals tied things in the bottom half — and then walked if off with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth.

Joseph finished Sunday’s game 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs. Reyes-Cruz was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs, while Brett Graham was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. On the mound, Jordan Schulefand, London’s starter, allowed seven runs (five earned) in four innings. He also walked four. Robert Mackie, who took the loss, worked 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks.

Up next:

The Majors (13-24) have their busiest week yet — and it’s the final week of the regular season. They’ll play a midweek home-and-home series against Guelph and then a trio of teams this weekend, including Friday at home vs. Barrie.

Tues. Aug. 15 (7:30pm @ Guelph Royals)
Wed. Aug. 16 (7:35pm vs. Guelph Royals)
Fri. Aug. 18 (7:35pm vs. Barrie Baycats)
Sat. Aug. 19 (6:05pm @ Welland Jackfish)
Sun. Aug. 20 (2:00pm @ Brantford Red Sox)

London Beefeaters

In their season opener Saturday, the London Beefeaters blanked the Ottawa Sooners, 18-0, at Gee Gees Field in the nation’s capital. The Beefeaters hit for a touchdown in the first quarter and led 7-0 at the half. After scoring a single in the third quarter, London put up a touchdown and field goal (by Adam Woljnowski) in the fourth for the 18-0 shutout win.

In a run-heavy attack, LJ Dyer did the bulk of the damage on the ground for the Beefeaters, rushing 23 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. Geoffrey Clubine also had a nice game with 55 yards on just four carries. London quarterback George Palmer threw the ball just nine times (with four completions), but he connected for a 37-yard touchdown pass to Jagger Horst. Keegan Cardona caught two passes for 22 yards.

Up next:

The Beefeaters (1-0) are back in action Sunday for their season opener — against the Hamilton Hurricanes — at City Wide Sports Park. London will play an eight-game regular season in the six-team Ontario Football Conference (OFC) before hoping to advance to a playoff semi-final in mid-October.

Sun. Aug. 20 (5:30pm vs. Hamilton Hurricanes)