Entering this past weekend's Italian Derby, Columbus FC looked to keep pace with Vancouver Metro Soccer League leaders - West Van, as they visited ICSF Inter for the second time this season.
The historic rivalry did not disappoint, as the first half saw a very spirited affair with both teams controlling parts of the opening half. Inter was rewarded for its early pressure at the 15th minute mark, converting a free kick from 20 yards out that seemed to catch the Columbus players by surprise.
The Inter goal seemed to be the wake-up call the Columbus players needed as they started getting back into the game and, eventually, took total control of the situation.
Late in the first half, Columbus knotted the score when midfielder Justin Carvery's long-range shot found its way to the bottom left corner of the Inter net.
In the second half, Columbus dominated proceedings from start to finish. Ten minutes into the second half, Columbus took the lead on a well-taken penalty kick by Steve DeBlasio after he had been fouled inside the penalty area by an Inter defender. A few minutes later, newly signed Columbus goalkeeper, JD Blakley made a brilliant save later off another Inter free kick from just outside the penalty area.
Shortly after, Columbus added its insurance marker when defender Graham Smith re-directed a well-taken free kick by DeBlasio into the corner of the net. The fourth Columbus goal was scored midway through the second half when Steve Frazao received a great pass from Blair Robertson and cleverly chipped the ball over the onrushing Inter goalkeeper, Marco Mincieli.
In the 70th minute, Inter were reduced to 10 men after a clumsy challenge, which Columbus took full advantage of to score its fifth goal of the game. The play began from a Donald Kambere cross that was headed towards the Inter goal by DeBlasio. The ball bounced off the crossbar where Frazao was 'Johnny on the spot' and slotted home the rebound to score his team's final goal.
Frazao and DeBlasio played brilliantly throughout the match, causing the Inter defenders all kinds of problems. Midfielders Jamie Olson and Nathan Quan, as well as defender Graham Smith, conducted themselves admirably in a winning cause.
With the win, Columbus remains in third place in the premier division standings, with a 7-2-4 record.
