The Orangeville Athletics sponsored by Allto Construction Services Ltd., find themselves in first place of the YRSL Premier Division after four games into the 2009 season. A great start to the season which has seen them win three games and tie one.

More amazing is the fact that during those four games they have not allowed a goal. Four clean sheets for David Price, the 2009 starting goalkeeper.

A lot of credit should also go to their veteran defensive back four led by Peter Kirchberger and Craig Howie who have been rock solid in the middle of the pitch.

Some key changes to the club during the off season have helped the Athletics get off to this dream start. Twelve weeks of indoor training with Steve Payne, a local professional soccer coach who holds his UEFA coaching certificate.

Twenty four weeks of competitive indoor games at Brampton's Central West Indoor League where the Athletics won the winter session championship.

A new head coach in David Lewars and with that a new direction to lead the team. All of these club objectives initiated by Club Manager Keith Robbins have led to the Athletics turning the corner this season and looking very optimistically at a successful 2009 season.

The Athletics have started the 2009 season off with a win against Aurora at home (1-0), a draw against Orillia (0-0) on the road, a win against Bradford at home (2-0) and most recently a win a home against Thornhill (1-0). Orangeville Athletics 1

Thornhill Juventus 0

At the start of this game it was Thornhill who looked to be moving the ball through out the midfield with relative ease.

They showed a lot of speed up front and on two separate occasions saw themselves in on the goal all alone only to be denied by David Price with two fabulous breakaway saves.

The Athletics experienced there own chances off the transition with balls be sent up field to Guilio Baldassarra who would collect and send on for the speedy Chris Vandenhoef up front. Both strikers looked very aggressive and hungry to give the Athletics the lead.

The Athletics would get that lead ten minutes into the second half when Baldassarra crushed a long range shot that just dipped under the cross bar fooling the Thornhill goalie.

For the last fifteen minutes of the game, Thornhill tried to equalize the game up as they pushed forward but the Athletic defense was up for the challenge. Thornhills best chance came off a scramble in front of the net when a shot made it through a maze of players but Price was quick to collect the ball and move it up the field and out of danger. The Athletics hung on to there 1-0 lead for the victory.

The Athletics next game will be on Thursday night in Owen Sound and then they will return home to Rotary Park to face McNicholl Park FC on Thursday June 18th (kickoff at 8:45pm).

Tragantis Cup

The Athletics and the United team (sponsored by Shoeless Joe's Restaurant) were both in action on Sunday afternoon for there opening round Traganitis Cup matches. The Athletics were in Innisfil where they won 4-3 on goals from Baldassarra, Vandenhoef and a double from Curtis Scobie. They will now face the Bradford Cruzaders on Sunday June 21st at Rotary Park in the next round of the competition.

The United team put forth a valiant effort against the Aurora Hearts (Premier Division) but surrendered a goal at the 70th minute mark and were unable to find the equalizer falling 1-0 at Highland Park.