HIGHLIGHTS: Forge FC vs. Valour FC (July 23, 2022)

For the first time in exactly three months, Terran Campbell found the back of the net for Forge FC. His brace proved the difference in a 3-1 win for Forge against Valour at Tim Hortons Field.

Forge had plenty of dangerous attacks over the course of 90 minutes, but until Campbell scored had only managed a single shot on target, a brilliant volley from Woobens Pacius. That strike nullified Moses Dyer’s early effort, as the league’s golden boot race continues to heat up.

The teams exchanged corner kicks in the early going. But despite some dangerous moments in both teams’ boxes, they were unable to create any real chances.

Much like the last match between these two sides, Forge controlled the bulk of the play in the early going, breaking into the final third on several occasions but were unable to test Jonathan Sirois.

Dyer then found his way in behind the Forge line in the 18th minute, showing the threat that Valour possesses when they play direct. His touch, however, let him down and he was unable to get a shot off.

Forge then had a pair of chances of their own, cutting down the right flank on a few occasions and taking advantage of some disorganization from the Valour backline. David Choinière found himself in front of goal on the latter but fired his half-volley well over the net.

In the 23rd minute, Dyer finally had his moment of joy. The New Zealand international headed home his seventh goal of the season, tying him with Forge’s Pacius for second in the league’s Golden Boot race. The goal came from a brilliant cross, courtesy of Valour captain Daryl Fordyce, after some good work down the right flank from Daniel Ascanio.

But Pacius would quickly regain his spot in the race, with a brilliant turning volley late in the half. The goal was his eighth of the season, and despite 16 touches inside the box during the first half, that was their only shot on target. The match went into the half tied 1-1.

To start the second half, in the Hamilton heat, Valour’s pressing started to cause Forge a number of issues. Forge was finally able to break through that press in the 49th minute, however, as it was nearly Pacius again who finished off an excellent low cross. Andrew Jean-Baptiste did just enough to put off the Forge striker.

Forge finally found their way through in the 68th minute, off of a mistake from Valour. Kyle Bekker dispossessed Kévin Rendón at the top of the box, then showed brilliant composure to set up Campbell. Campbell’s goal ended a run of 530 minutes without scoring. Both of his previous goals for far this year came against FC Edmonton on April 23.

In true Campbell fashion, where there is one goal, more follow. On a counterattack in added time, Campbell slid to finish a generous pass from Emery Welshman. It was his second of the match, and fourth of the season.

The result ended a run for Valour, who were undefeated in their four matches going into this match. For Forge, meanwhile, it was their third straight victory. They move up into third in the league for the moment.

BOX SCORE

Goals

23′ — Moses Dyer (Valour FC)

41′ — Woobens Pacius (Forge FC)

68′ — Terran Campbell (Forge FC)

90′ + 4 — Terran Campbell (Forge FC)

Discipline

55′ — Moses Dyer (Valour FC)

72′ — Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Valour FC)

84′ — Kévin Rendón (Valour FC)