By Daniel Clubbe.
Hamilton-based Forge FC retain the Canadian Premier League’s North Star Shield with victory at the Island Games
Forge FC won the Canadian Premier League title for the second straight year on Saturday when they overcame HFX Wanderers FC 2-0.
It took two second-half goals from Swedish midfielder Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson and homegrown left-back Maxim Tissot to clinch what had been an even Island Games final.
Eight teams started the Island Games but for the second year running only Forge remained as Bobby Smyrniotis’ side came out on top once more and declared themselves the best in Canada.
After a first period full of nerves and with little to no chances, the breakthrough came in the 60th minute from a run of Forge corners. Wanderers’ Goalkeeper Christian Oxner failed to deal with Kyle Bekker’s delivery to the far post and the ball fell to Mo Babouli, who chipped it back to the other post where Achinioti-Jonsson bravely headed home amid plenty of pressure.
HIGHLIGHTS: Chips with the Dip
Forge FC 2, @HFXWanderersFC 0#ForgeFC | #StillFirst | #CPLFinal pic.twitter.com/PSKUY3rVZU
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) September 20, 2020
Substitute Tissot rubbed salt in the wound with a free-kick from around 40 yards that caught Oxner off guard before the keeper fumbled the ball onto the post and over the line in the 90th minute.
Both sides ended the match with nine shots on goal, Forge with the additional effort on target as Stephen Hart’s men failed to create any clear cut chances.
There were joyous scenes at the end as Bekker lifted the shield aloft, joined by his teammates.
The rather uninspiring final brought to an end what has been a successful 38-day season played in a Prince Edward Island bubble due to the ongoing global pandemic, but everyone involved deserves credit for the organisation of such a tournament at this time.
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