Pacific FC v HFX Wanderers – The Historic Story In Pictures
History was made at Westhills Stadium in Langford on Sunday afternoon when Pacific FC took to the pitch for the first time in Canadian Premier League action to take on HFX Wanderers on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
The stadium was packed to the newly built wooden rafters as 5100 supporters came along to see Hendrik Starostkik’s solitary goal secure not only Pacific FC’s first ever win but also the first ever victory by any side in the newly launched CPL, in a 1-0 triumph over HFX Wanderers.
AFTN photographer Tom (@ResidualImage) was there to capture the action before, during and after the game. Here’s the “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
Westhills Stadium was looking wonderful in the sun
As were the Pacific supporters, who were also in fine voice
But nothing is finer than the legend that already is Stewie The Starfish
The Canadiana was certainly in full flow
Pacific Rising – the Lake Side Buoys tifo with the men responsible for bringing pro football to Vancouver Island in the foreground
And the purple haze was all in my brain
It was a momentous occasion and the first ever Pacific FC starting XI were ready for battle
23 minutes in and Noah Verhoeven swings in a dangerous corner which Hendrik Starostzik rises to meet
Heading home Pacific’s first ever CPL goal
Sparking sheer joy amongst all the home players and supporters
Two minutes later though and HFX Wanderers swung in a corner of their own
Andre Rampersad knocks the ball home but from an offside position – no goal
Ben Fisk tries to add to Pacific’s lead in the 50th minute, firing in a fierce shot
But HFX Wanderers keeper Jan-Michael Williams made a strong save to turn it away for a corner
Lukas MacNaughton wrote his name in the Pacific history books in the 72nd minute as their first player sent off, picking up a second yellow for a last man challenge and the subsequent red that followed
Wanderers turned up the pressure in the closing minutes crashing a free kick off the bar and forcing Pacific keeper Mark Village into a number of saves
But they couldn’t find the breakthrough, and Pacific held on for a famous 1-0 victory
You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below:
Previous Article
Next Article