By Dan Clubbe.
York9 took advantage of their game in hand this week as Cavalry FC and Forge FC could only watch on having played a match more than their counterparts.
Last year’s finalists stay second and first respectively, although Cavalry find themselves joined on 10 points by the Nine Stripes.
Here’s how the action played out in the Canadian Premier League this week…
All matches behind closed doors at UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI
FC Edmonton 0-1 York9
It was York9 who kicked off the week as they inflicted yet another defeat on Edmonton, who are going through a torrid 2020 campaign. In fairness to the Eddies, they held out almost until half-time in this match. It took another sublime Manny Aparicio strike to break the deadlock as the York9 captain fired home a free-kick from the edge of the area right on the stroke of half-time.
Jimmy Brennan’s side should, in truth, have made their lead more comfortable as they missed a host of second-half chances. However, York9 held out for the win and remain undefeated this year, whereas the Eddies remain stranded on the bottom of the table with just a solitary point.
Valour FC 0-2 HFX Wanderers
Valour couldn’t make their early dominance count in this match as HFX grew into the match before taking the lead against the run of play. Akeem Garcia was brought down right on the edge of the box shortly after the half-hour mark, allowing Alex De Carolis to fire the shot on goal, finding its way into the back of the net via a deflection, completely wrong-footing James Pantemis.
Minutes later, it was a poor touch from Stefan Cebara which set Cory Bent clean through on goal, the striker made no mistake as he coolly slotted home his finish into the far corner to double the advantage. Rob Gale’s team pressed hard for a way back into the contest but couldn’t breach the Wanderers’ defence. With time running out, the frustration got the better of Federico Pena as the Trinidadian received his marching orders for a late challenge.
The win keeps the Halifax side’s hopes of qualification alive while Valour have plenty of work to do.
Pacific FC 0-1 Atletico Ottawa
Mista’s men would have been delighted to pick up their second win of the campaign against a much-fancied Pacific side. They, too, kept their hopes alive as they came away with a one-goal victory.
After an even battle whereby defence certainly had the better of offence, both keepers were also in fine form. The deciding moment came in the last minute as one of the Spanish invasion, Viti Martinez, met a loose ball in the box with a perfectly struck half-volley to send the Ottawa players wild.
The win means Ottawa remain in with a chance of qualifying for the finals, as do Pa-Modou Kah’s side, despite their chances taking a blow in this clash.
Summary
This all means that the standings could not be closer going into the final round of fixtures. Seven teams have a chance of making the finals, only FC Edmonton find themselves cut adrift with nothing to play for.
Fixtures
Forge FC v Valour FC Saturday
Cavalry FC v York9 FC Saturday
HFX Wanderers v Atletico Ottawa Sunday
Pacific FC v FC Edmonton Sunday