Labour Day, Here We Come

Scoring drought ends in time for the HNNS Tournament

Frank Perin — “It was just what the doctor ordered.” To some it’s an overused cliche. To Hamilton on Friday, it was North York. Jason Shannon scored twice and Melford James Jr. recorded the shutout as Hamilton Croatia routed the Astros 5-0. Shannon opened the scoring at the 18th minute with a long shot – it may have been a cross pegged for Preston Corporal – that floated up and over the head of Astros goalkeeper Nelson Zamora. It was Croatia’s first goal in 242 minutes. The Hamilton striker doubled the lead when he took a through-ball in alone, stepped around a sprawling Zamora, and calmly slotted in into the back of the net. Former Chicago Fire MLS draft pick Melford James Jr. was sound when called upon in his first game in goal for the home side. Daniel Niksic made it 3-0 at 62 minutes when he rocketed a shot past the keeper from just inside the penalty area after a beautiful build-up in the midfield which included touches from Adam Leggett, Boris Vurdelja and Danny Jirta. Jerko Grubisic made it 4-0 at 76 minutes and Aidan O’Keefe struck his 11th of the season for a 5-0 lead at 82 minutes to round out the scoring. It was the second time Hamilton “Bundy’d” the opposition this season (winning by a five-count), and the fourth time they have scored five or more goals in a game. Hamilton’s next action is the HNNS Tournament on Labour Day weekend. Three games are scheduled for Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. against Oakville Livno. Games are taking place at Ridley College in St. Catherine’s.