The story of the Cowichan masters soccer derby between the 49ers and Steelheads should have been a tale of the rivalry between the Flynn brothers who were squaring off on opposite sides for the first time, Ryan on the 49ers and Curtis on the Steelheads.

Unfortunately, just 20 minutes into the match, Curtis FlynnB次元官网网址檚 leg was broken, and the story instead became one of the Cowichan masters soccer community coming together.

B次元官网网址淭he hard part is we are all one large soccer community competing but when something like this happens it puts it all into perspective,B次元官网网址� reported Neall Rowlings, who manages both teams and plays for the 49ers.

B次元官网网址淚 am glad it was two Cowichan teams playing,B次元官网网址� Flynn said. B次元官网网址淭he support on the field I received was amazing.B次元官网网址�

Ryan Flynn ended up holding CurtisB次元官网网址檚 ankle and leg in place for nearly 40 minutes while they waited for the ambulance to arrive, while other 49ers B次元官网网址� especially Todd Vass and Matt Arnett B次元官网网址� were encouraging and supportive.

B次元官网网址淢y teammates were there for me and I appreciate all of them,B次元官网网址� Curtis Flynn added. B次元官网网址淟uke Massey and Ryan Connelly were there for me immediately and I appreciate all the messages and offers from every single one of the Cowichan soccer community.

B次元官网网址淚t was an emotional night and I think the hardest part for me was when I was on the stretcher about to get loaded into the ambulance. I broke down because I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have any of these amazing humans around and it put into perspective what it means to be part of such an amazing sporting community.B次元官网网址�

Flynn B次元官网网址� Curtis, that is B次元官网网址� gave himself a lot of the blame for the injury.

B次元官网网址淚t was mostly my fault as I made a bonehead error prior to the incident,B次元官网网址� he reported. B次元官网网址淚 was subbing into centre midfield but the ref sent me back immediately to take my necklace off B次元官网网址� this happened last week as well B次元官网网址� so coach Billy [Keserich] had to put someone else into my position. I went on a few minutes later at left midfield and then when I went in for a 50/50 ball and I came out the loser of that challenge. Might have been the first time I ever lost a 50/50 ball. It was a pure soccer play and both of us players in the challenge were going in to win the ball. Any other day both of us would of got up and patted each other on the back and continued on.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏oth players went in hard and no foul was called on the play,B次元官网网址� Rowlings agreed.

Rowlings has been in FlynnB次元官网网址檚 cleats before, and knows he has an uphill climb ahead.

B次元官网网址淚 can say, having this happen three times in five years, itB次元官网网址檚 a long road to recovery and he will need the support of the Valley behind him. He owns Fresh KennyB次元官网网址檚 downtown on Kenneth Street, and could definitely use any support possible.B次元官网网址�

As for the game, it was won 7-0 by the 49ers, with one of those goals coming off the foot of Ryan Flynn. Tyler Hughes scored twice, and Rocket Rowlings, Arnett, Stu [Shake n Bake] Barker and George [Hagi] Thomas also found the net, with Darian Achurch recording the shutout. Jesse Winter looked strong in his first game on the Cowichan backline.

The 49ers will visit their arch rivals, UVic Alumni, this weekend, and the Steelheads will visit Gorge FC.