By MORRIS DALLA COSTA, FREE PRESS SPORTS COLUMNIST

Another game, another loss for London City.

But in this case, it deserved a much better fate.

City lost its third game of the Canadian Soccer League season last night at Cove Road field, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of St. Catharines Roma Wolves. The game was played in front of about 150 fans who preferred to watch soccer rather than take in the Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.

City was as looking to win its first game in 32. Its last win was in August 2007.

It had enough chances to win but as has been its want, it couldn't find the back of the net.

A goal by the Wolves' Matthew Cain in the 13th minute stood up, despite good pressure by City. That pressure included hitting a crossbar in the second half.

"St. Catharines probably had more possession but we had the better chances," City's playing-coach Andrew Loague said. "You have to get some bounces in this game and we didn't get any."

The Wolves' goal came from a good move down the left side. Joseph DelPriore cut into the penalty area and struck a lovely cross across the face of the net. Matthew Cain timed a diving header perfectly and had no trouble beating Anthony Santilli in the City net.

While the Wolves had a couple of other decent chances, it was City that carried the play.

Jevon Vanderreyden had an opening from just outside the penalty box and whacked it over the net in the 23rd minute. Minutes later City missed a chance that should have wound up in the back of the net.

From a scramble in the box, the ball wound up at the feet of Patrick Beuno. He was 14 yards from the net and had an open shot. But he shot high and immediately held his head in his hands.

London continued to create chances but couldn't find the net.

Santilli was forced into a couple of other good saves but he handled them without too much trouble.

"You've got to take your chances in this game," Loague said. "If you don't, that will come back to haunt you."

There were a lot of good signs for City, though.

"We played much better defensively than we did last week," Loague said, talking about a 5-1 loss to Portuguese. "I though Mark Boyd was a great addition for us. It would be great if we had him all year but he has a decision to make."

That decision is whether to continue playing soccer in a London recreation league. Boyd has played with Loague for a number of years but is now on a three-game trial with City. He has to decide whether he'll remain with City.

The other positive aspect was the goaltending of Santilli.

"He never bobbles the ball. He's very solid," Loague said.

Even with the dangerous Loague, City has trouble scoring. It hopes to rectify that with the signing of former Windsor Border Star Aaron Byrd. He will join City for its next game.

Byrd is a legitimate goal scorer. He's been among the top scorers in the league for a number of years.

City's next game is Friday when Trois-Rivieres travels to Cove Road.