One of these days, missed opportunities will come back to haunt the Sudbury Cyclones.

That day, however, was not June 1st (2024).

Saturday night at the James Jerome Sports Complex, the Cyclones finally broke through in the dying minutes of the opening half, added another tally early in the second half and converted on a penalty kick a little later on, securing a 3-1 victory over Pickering FC.

Still, this contest could have been put to rest much earlier had the home side displayed a little more precision in the opposing box and slightly beyond.

“It’s pretty clear that we can create the chances but we have to be more clinical in that final third,” noted winger David Setters, a native of the Philippines who moved to England very early on before committing to Algoma University in Sault Ste Marie last fall.

“For us, it’s more about striking the ball,” he added. “We get into those areas and then hit it off the bar or miss the target in general. Throughout our training sessions, that is something that we really need to focus on.”

Setters is one of three residents of Great Britain who have crossed the pond in the opposite direction of most young men who wish to pursue a career in soccer (or football, as it is known back home). “For myself and the two other U.K. players, we’ve spent most of our lives in the academy system,” said the well-spoken 20 year old.

“We’ve tried that route and it hasn’t quite worked out for us. Coming to a different country, going through a different process and a different challenge is kind of what’s attracted us over to Canada.”

For as much as he has lined up at right fullback regularly in his youth, Setters acknowledged that anywhere in that direct line that runs just inside of the sidelines works well for him. “I love creating chances for the team,” he said. “There’s so many opportunities down the wing to get crosses in, get a shot off, whatever.”

“I love causing problems for the opposition.”

In this particular contest, the Cyclones would cause problems first courtesy of Timi Aliu, who hit paydirt in the 45th minute, followed by Douvoy Bromfield (51st minute – loose ball in the box) and Cedric Devos (61st minute – penalty kick) before Warren Chambers countered in the 70th minute for the visiting side.

“It’s very easy to switch off when you go up two or three,” admitted centerback Jaden Timis, the 21 year old who has patrolled the interior of the back-line alongside Luke Harrop, shutting down much of what the Sudbury opponents have tried to create. “You are feeling a little more comfortable in the game.”

“As a defender, a quality flick-on can happen at any second so you’ve got to stay switched on and continue the game.”

While there are still a handful of League2 squads in the Northeast Division that Sudbury has yet to face, there have been a few interesting takeaways from their most recent adversaries – including in the general make-up of their respective lineups.

“In this league, compared to some of the other teams, we’ve got a relatively older squad,” said Timis. “I think at times we can show that, especially at home. Obviously, we’ve got a good record here.”

With the win, the Cyclones improved to 3-1-1 (10 points), sitting deadlocked with both Alliance United (3-1-1) and Masters FA (3-0-1) at the top of the table. Surrendering just five goals to date has clearly helped the cause of the first year local franchise.

“We conceded the one goal tonight which is pretty frustrating but sa centerbacks, we’re pretty solid at the back end,” suggested Timis.

Now the team must take to the road to face Darby FC (2-1-0), a squad comprised of much of the core of a very solid University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks OUA entry. “The fans here give us that 12th man and now we need to carry that into the away games.”

Joining the five previously mentioned players in the Sudbury starting lineup (Duvoy Bromfield came on as a substitute) on Saturday were keeper Lucas Cidade, Isaac Ajani, Michael Marcantognini, Chanley Francois, Nicolas Patenaude and Jack Collins, with Lucas Spirkoski, Ethan De Franca, Hafiss Adou Diallo, Adrian Josephs, Stan Pankiewicz and Rohan Henry all earning playing time in the second half.