HIGHLIGHTS: Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC (August 4th, 2023) | Presented by tonybet

Cavalry FC are back atop the CPL table for the time being after a 3-0 win as part of a statement performance against Forge FC at ATCO Field.

A second-half outburst of goals from Eryk Kobza, William Akio and Fraser Aird highlighted an outstanding attacking effort from Cavalry FC on the night. Marco Carducci made a pair of saves for the clean sheet.

With the win, Cavalry picked up their league-leading 18th home point of the season in their ninth home match, and now top the league in goals scored having now scored 29 on the year. They are now a point ahead of Forge FC and Pacific FC, the latter of whom take on Halifax on Monday.

Goteh Ntignee proved a handful for Forge early and often, pressing high up the left wing and finding an opening in the seventh minute down the flank. His cross, however, was ultimately cleared fairly easily. Ntingee linked up with Sergio Camargo moments later for another chance, as this time the latter burst into the box and played a more dangerous cross that resulted in a few half chances, but nothing that got through to Triston Henry in the Forge net.

Henry was called into action again in the 14th minute, this time it was his own defender Manjrekar James who played an incredibly dangerous outside-of-the-foot backpass that forced an incredible save from the Forge goalkeeper. Henry, the Canadian Premier League’s goalkeeper of the month for July, then stopped William Akio in the 24th minute during a busy opening half.

As the half went on Forge found a few opportunities in the other direction. In the 32nd minute, Rezart Rama played a brilliant ball over the top into the path of Terran Campbell. Shamit Shome, however, was there to get his body in front of the chance with some brilliant defending. A few minutes later, Tristian Borges had a dangerous shot that flashed across the front of the Cavalry net but wide.

Cavalry had one last opportunity on a dangerous corner kick in first-half stoppage time, with Charlie Trafford forcing a kick save from Henry. Despite both sides getting into good areas throughout the first 45, a lack of quality in the final movement led to the match being tied 0-0 as the teams headed back to the dressing rooms.

Early in the second half, Cavalry finally found their breakthrough on a stunningly executed set-piece routine. Ali Musse played a short pass into Camargo, who in turn found Ntignee out wide. The winger then played a brilliant cross into the path of Kobza who finished off his second professional goal.

The goal seemed to only add confidence to Cavalry, who continued to press forward. In the 61st minute, Akio doubled the lead for the hosts with his first goal for the club with an excellent dribbling movement down the right flank before hitting a left-footed strike past Henry. He celebrated the goal by leaping into the ATCO Field stands to celebrate with supporters.

Needing a spark, Forge FC brought on new signing Beni Badibanga for his Canadian Premier League debut. The goal, meanwhile, would be Akio’s last action as he was replaced by Joe Mason.

The speed of Ntignee proved to be too much for Forge again in the 80th minute, as the winger was brought down at the top of the box and won a penalty. Fraser Aird’s initial attempt was brilliantly saved by Henry, but the Forge goalkeeper was judged to have been off his line. Aird then stepped up again, went to Henry’s left again, and this time beat the keeper to extend Cavalry’s lead to 3-0.

This was the first time in club history that Forge were both defeated and held scoreless at ATCO Field, a venue where they have traditionally had plenty of success. The loss ended a four-match unbeaten streak for the Hamilton side, dating back to June 30.

BOX SCORE

Goals

49′ — Eryk Kobza (Cavalry FC)
61′ — William Akio (Cavalry FC)
82′ — Fraser Aird (Cavalry FC) (Penalty)

Discipline

50′ — Yellow: Jesse Daley (Cavalry FC)
62′ — Yellow: William Akio (Cavalry FC)
90+4′ — Yellow: Shamit Shome (Cavalry FC)